This problem solving activity has a statistics focus.
Tony wants to become a better speller so he keeps a record of the time he spends learning his words each night. He also asks his mum to test him each day and he writes the number of words he gets correct.
Look closely at Tony's data.
What do they tell you about Tony’s homework patterns?
Write the advice you would give him so he gets all words correct.
This problem builds on students' understandings of how to read bar graphs and frequency tables.
It challenges students to think logically about a familiar situation represented by data, and to draw reasonable conclusions. Students are encouraged to use everyday language to respond to mathematical ideas.
Tony wants to become a better speller so he keeps a record of the time he spends learning his words each night. He also asks his mum to test him each day and he writes the number of words he gets correct.
Look closely at Tony's data.
What do they tell you about Tony’s homework patterns?
Write the advice you would give him so he gets all words correct.
Have students keep a record of their own homework patterns (or time spent practising multiplication tables, reading books and number of books read, practising a musical instrument and number of songs played etc.). Have students graph their data using a paper template or digital tool (e.g. Google Sheets).
Have students continue the charts showing Tony’s improvement after following their advice.
Tony's spelling improves with practice.
Each night he does homework he gets more words correct.
Students' advice for Tony might include:
Printed from https://meaningfulmaths.nt.edu.au/mmws/nz/resource/tony-s-spelling-troubles at 8:55pm on the 26th February 2024