Grade 4 - Statistics and Probability (Data Analysis)

The sub-organizer contains the following sections:
Prescribed Learning Outcomes
Suggested Instructional Strategies
Suggested Assessment Strategies
Recommended Learning Resources

PRESCRIBED LEARNING OUTCOMES

It is expected that students will collect first- and second-hand data, assess and validate the data-collection process, and graph the data.

It is expected that students will:

select an appropriate sample or population and organize the collection of data
manipulate data to create an interval graph/table for display purposes
construct a bar graph and a pictograph using many-to-one correspondence and justify the choice of intervals and correspondence used
evaluate the process by which the data was collected

To view the prescribed learning outcomes for Statistics and Probabilities (Data Analysis) in other grades click on an icon below.

SUGGESTED INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES

Data analysis provides opportunities for students to see connections among their school subjects and to better understand the information they encounter daily. To answer questions and to make decisions about sets of information, students gather, organize, and present information.

Discuss with students the various ways to organize and present information.
Have students collect graphs and pictographs from newspapers and magazines. Discuss what the graphs tell them about the topics so they understand that people use graphs to convey meaning.
Divide the class into groups of four to six students. Each group is responsible for conducting a survey to answer a question of their choice. Each group must determine how they will collect and display their information. Use questions such as:
- Who should be included in the survey?
- What are some of the best ways to collect information?
When the teams debrief for the whole class, the information can be gathered and used as the basis of criteria to evaluate the process by which the data were collected. After students have completed their collections and graphed the information, have them prepare a set of questions to help others interpret their graphs.

SUGGESTED ASSESSMENT STRATEGIES

Students learn from each other. As they communicate about how they approach various aspects of collecting, interpreting, and displaying data, as well as how they make predictions, they gain insight into a variety of ways to organize, analyse, and use information.

Observe

Observe whether students can:
- select appropriate formats to display information so that it can be understood by others
- select an appropriate sample or population, organize the collection of data, and evaluate the process by which the data were collected

Question

Have students work in groups to rate the presentation of each other's graphs based on:
- how well the information was collected
- how effectively the information was displayed
- how well the ideas were presented
Have students work in groups to develop a set of criteria to assess and evaluate their graphs. For example, they might list:
- spacing of intervals
- labelling of axes
- accurate drawing of bars in terms of the information collected
Have students meet in groups to assess how well they have achieved their goals.

Reflect

Consider which students had difficulty with one or more aspects of the process: collecting first- and second-hand data, assessing and validating the data-collection process, and graphing the data.