Lesson: Statistical Questions

6.SP.1 Recognize a statistical question as one that anticipates variability in the data related to
the question and accounts for it in the answers. For example, How old am I? is not a
statistical question, but How old are the students in my school? is a statistical question
because one anticipates variability in students ages.
Lesson Launch: Students respond to the following in math journals or verbally.
1. How long does it take students in our class to come to school every day? Provide the
time in minutes.
2. What is our classs favorite color?
3. What kind of music do 6th graders like to listen to?
4. How many hours a week do students in our class exercise?
Lesson Tasks
1. Discuss students answers to the lesson launch. Explain that the questions are statistical
because they can generate a variety of answers and they are an important part of
statistics.
2. Questions for Sorting
Students (individuals, pairs, or groups) cut out the questions and sort them into
2 categories; Statistical and Non-Statistical. Be able to explain reasoning.
Whole class discussion of the sorting activity, clarifying misconceptions
Modify non-statistical questions, making them statistical questions (small group
or whole class)
The correct sort can then be glued into math journals/interactive notebooks
Lesson Closure (can be used as a journal response or exit ticket)
Display:
How many pets are owned by the students in sixth grade?
Is this question statistical or non-statistical? Jonas responded that it is statistical and Mary
responded that it is non-statistical. Who is correct and why? Support your answer.
Homework
Statistical and Non-Statistical Questions Homework

Question for Sorting

How many siblings do students at this school have?
How many pockets do I have on my clothes Im wearing today?
What are students favorite football team?
How far can I jump?

In what zip code(s) do students in our school live?

How many text messages do students send every day?

How much do the backpacks of the students in our class weigh?

What is the most popular ice cream flavor in our school?

Can I roll my tongue?

Are cars speeding in the school zone in front of our school?

What is the longest lasting brand of AAA batteries?

How many cubes can be stacked in one minute by 4th grade students?

Which brand is my favorite?

On a scale from 1 to 10 (1 being the least and 10 being the most), how fun is school?

Statistical Questions

Non-Statistical Questions

Answer Key
Statistical Questions
How many siblings do students at this school have?
What are students favorite football teams?
In what zip code(s) do students in our school live?
How many text messages do students send every day?
How much do the backpacks of the students in our class weigh?
What is the most popular ice cream flavor in our school?
What is the longest lasting brand of AAA batteries?
How many cubes can be stacked in one minute by 4th grade students?
On a scale from 1 to 10 (1 being the least and 10 being the most), how fun is
school?
Non-Statistical Questions
How many pockets do I have on my clothes Im wearing today?
How far can I jump?
Can I roll my tongue?
Are cars speeding in the school zone in front of our school?
Which brand is my favorite?