Data Measure of Center and Variability Math Games

3 games

In this series of games, your students will learn to summarize numerical data sets in relation to their context. The Data Measure of Center and Variability learning objective — based on CCSS and state standards — delivers improved student engagement and academic performance in your classroom, as demonstrated by research. This learning objective directly references 6.SP.B.5.d as written in the common core national math standards.

Scroll down for a preview of this learning objective’s games and the concepts.

Concepts Covered

Describe the spread of the data. Center is measured by the median, a number arrived at by counting to the middle of an ordered array of numerical data. When the data set is even the median will be the average of the two middle numbers.  Quartiles are the medians of the lower and upper halves of the ordered data values. The quartiles separate the data into 4 sections that each contain the same amount of data points but vary in shape and size. The interquartile range (IQR) is the distance from the first and third quartile and is used to describe the variability of the data set.

Mean is the average of a data set and is found by adding all data points and then dividing by the number of data points. Distinguish between the median and mean. Outliers are numbers that are further in range than the rest of the data points to one extreme. Mean can heavily be influenced by an extreme data point or outlier. Describe if the data is symmetric and the shape if it is not and determine what measure would best represent the center of data.

Describe the data using the median and the IQR. Identify outliers from the data. Identify if the context for the data gathering could account for any variability. If there are multiple outliers to one extreme, the IQR could be the best measure of the center because it describes the spread of the middle 50% of the data. The measures chosen for describing the data should best represent the most amount of numbers in a data set. Identify if the mean or median would be the best measure of center for the data set.

A preview of each game in the learning objective is found below.

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Image for Compare Two Numbers
Compare Two Numbers Estimated Duration: 4 minutes Compare Two Numbers
Image for Fishing Numbers
Fishing Numbers Estimated Duration: 9 minutes Travel to the Great Lake, filled with plenty of different sized fish, and work with the greatest fisher mathling to catch a good haul of fish! However, he wants the correct amount of fish that have the correct numbers on them, as they are precious for his business. Learn to identify which number is greater or smaller than the other.
Image for Number Compare - Compare
Number Compare - Compare Estimated Duration: 10 minutes Create meaning of greater than, less than, and equal to by moving objects into two independent play areas and watching the graph in the middle update in real time. Choose between a bar graph and a number line, and hear the comparison statement read out loud in English and another language of your choice.
Image for Number Compare - Lab
Number Compare - Lab Estimated Duration: 10 minutes Use this interactive whiteboard to create addition, subtraction, or comparison problems without feedback. Organize objects into ten-frames to visually compare which has more, or whether the number of objects are equal. Be creative in how subtraction is modeled.
Image for Magical Forest Deluxe
Magical Forest Deluxe Estimated Duration: 15 minutes Find yourself in a magical forest full of treasures and adventures. Collect coins and berries, answer questions, earn points! Good luck!
Image for Robot Chef
Robot Chef Estimated Duration: 18 minutes Congratulations, you are creating the first all-robot restaurant in the city! As you serve more customers, you will be able to build more robots to assist in delivering tasty treats. Attend Night School and answer questions to earn advanced robot chefs!
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