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The Arizona STEM Acceleration Project

Histograms- Flight Distance

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Histograms- Flight Distance

A 6th grade STEM lesson

Angela Molina

July 28, 2023

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Notes for teachers

  • This lesson takes place in a classroom for one or more hours. Can be spread over 2 class periods.

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  • Students may work in small groups of 2-3.

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  • Facilitate student discussion/ reflection throughout the lesson.

List of Materials

  • Dice
  • Paper/Pencil
  • Slate/Marker
  • Tape Measures

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Standards

Math

6.SP.B.4 Display numerical data in plots on a number line, including dot plots, histograms, and box plots.

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Mathematical Practices

MP.1 Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them.

MP.4 Model with mathematics.

MP.6 Attend to precision.

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Science and Engineering Practices

Develop and use models

Analyze and interpret data

Use math and computational thinking

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Standards

Science

U2: The knowledge produced by science is used in engineering and technologies to solve problems and/or create products.

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Objectives:

Today I will measure and collect data.

Today I will engineer a paper airplane.

Today I display data in a histogram.

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Agenda (60 minutes)

Warm up

Engineer Paper Airplane

Data Collection

Data Organization

Data Analysis

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Vocabulary

  • Frequency
  • Frequency Table
  • Intervals
  • Histogram

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How can you use intervals, tables, and graphs to organize data in a histogram?

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Warm up

  • Roll a die 20 times. Record your results in a frequency chart.

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  • Display your data in a bar graph.

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  • Work with a partner. Compare and contrast bar graphs.

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Data Collection Using Intervals

  • Find the sum of 3 dice when rolled. Record your results in a frequency table using intervals. Repeat 20 times.

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  • Display your data in a histogram.

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  • Compare and contrast this graph to the first graph created.

Sum of 3 Dice

Tally

Total

3-6

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7-9

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10-12

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13-15

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16-18

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Bar Graph vs. Histogram- What’s the difference?

Quick Write- Take 2 minutes to write down as many similarities and differences you notice.

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Will your plane go the distance?

  • Make the airplane shown.

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  • Design and make your own airplane.

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  • Fly each airplane 20 times. Keep track of distance flown

each time.

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  • Organize the results of the flights using frequency

tables and graphs.

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Quick Write- Create a histogram with your data. Which airplane flies farther? Explain your reasoning.

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Assessment

  • Display data in a histogram.
  • Explain how intervals in a tally chart help you organize data.
  • Explain the similarities and differences between a histogram and a bar graph.

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Differentiation

One way to differentiate in this lesson is to provide some students with additional examples.

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Another option could be to provide students with a peer tutor. This could be strategic when groups are being formed.

Remediation

Extension/Enrichment

Students who are successful right away can create a new set of trials where they are creating the criteria.

Students that are successful can peer tutor another classmate.

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