Bridging the Gap Between Common Core State Standards and Teaching Statistics

Bridging the Gap Between Common Core State Standards and Teaching Statistics includes 20 data analysis and probability investigations for teachers to use in their K–8 classrooms. Each investigation is based on the four-step statistical process as defined by the Guidelines for Assessment and Instruction in Statistics Education (GAISE) Report: A Pre-K–12 Curriculum Framework (www.amstat.org/education/gaise):

1. Formulate a question that can answered by data
2. Design and implement a plan to collect appropriate data
3. Analyze the collected data by graphical and numerical methods
4. Interpret the analysis in the context of the original question

Each investigation contains:

• A descriptive Overview that discusses the big ideas presented in the investigation
• A list of Learning Goals that describe what students will be able to do as a result of completing the investigation
• A reference to the Common Core State Standards for Mathematical Practice, Common Core State Standards Grade Level Content, and NCTM Principles and Standards for School Mathematics
• A list of the Materials needed for the investigation
• A suggested Estimated Time, with the number of days needed to complete the investigation
• Instructional Plan that follows the four-step statistical process as defined by GAISE
• An Example of Interpret the Results report that students need to write for each investigation
• An Assessment with Answers
• Possible Extensions of the material discussed in the investigation
• A list of References pertaining to the investigation

Graphs are an integral part of data analysis. Those found in BTG include bar graphs, dotplots, stemplots, boxplots, and scatterplots. Statistical measures include those identifying center (mode, median, mean), spread (range, inter-quartile range, mean absolute deviation), and correlation (quadrant count ratio).

Students who have mastered these investigations will be prepared to pursue those at the high-school level as found in Focus on Statistics: Investigations for the Integration of Statistics into Grades 9–12 Mathematics Classrooms and Making Sense of Statistical Studies (available on Amazon and at https://www.statisticsteacher.org/statistics-teacher-publications).