Developing Essential Understanding of Statistics for Teaching Mathematics in Grades 6-8

How does working with data in statistics differ from working with numbers in mathematics? What is variability, and how can we describe and measure it? How can we display distributions of quantitative or categorical data? What is a data sample, and how can we choose one that will allow us to draw valid conclusions from data? How much do you know…and how much do you need to know? Helping your students develop a robust understanding of statistics requires that you understand fundamental statistical concepts deeply. But what does that mean? This book focuses on essential knowledge for mathematics teachers about statistics. It is organized around four big ideas, supported by multiple smaller, interconnected ideas―essential understandings.Taking you beyond a simple introduction to statistics, the book will broaden and deepen your understanding of one of the most challenging topics for students―and teachers. It will help you engage your students, anticipate their perplexities, avoid pitfalls, and dispel misconceptions. You will also learn to develop appropriate tasks, techniques, and tools for assessing students’ understanding of the topic. Focus on the ideas that you need to understand thoroughly to teach confidently.