Lesson 4

Who Is Right?

Est. Class Sessions: 1

Developing the Lesson

Compare Samples. Use the Who Is Right? page in the Student Guide to extend students' understanding of taking a sample from a population. In the vignette, two groups of students each take a sample from the same bean population. When the two groups sort their samples, they find that their results are slightly different. Students work with a partner or in a small group to discuss Questions 1 and 2. After they have had time to work, ask students to share their thinking with the whole class.

Students' responses to Question 1 will vary. Look for the following points in explanations:

  • The numbers for the same type of bean in their data tables are close.
  • Pinto beans are the most common in both samples. Navy beans are the least common in both samples.
  • The total number of beans in both samples is close, since both pairs used the same scoop. Tara and Kim pulled 211 and Mark and Jason pulled 217.

In Question 2, students are asked to decide if one of the groups could have made a mistake.

Ask:

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  • Did one of the pairs make a mistake? Or could they both have correct data? (The data for both the girls and the boys are correct. Each pair took their own sample, so Tara and Kim should not expect their numbers for each type of bean to be exactly the same as Mark and Jason's. The numbers should be close since they were both taken from the same container of beans with the same scoop.)

Students should understand that since the answers depend on data collected, different data can often lead to different answers.

Which Tub? Provide each student with a copy of the Which Tub? Assessment Master from the Teacher Guide. Introduce the problem by reading and displaying the short vignette at the top of the page.

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Use the Which Tub? Assessment Master and the Feedback Box to assess students' progress toward showing or telling how they arrived at an answer so someone else can understand their thinking [MPE5].

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Students can use the feedback you provide on the Which Tub? Feedback Box to make revisions to their work.

Refer to the Math Practices page in the Reference section of the Student Guide to review Math Practices Expectation 5, Show my work.

Ask:

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  • What do you need to include so someone else will be able to understand your thinking? (Possible student responses: I need to make sure I answer the question that is asked; tell what tools I use to decide which tub was Tara and Kim's; or tell or show each step I take to answer the question.)

Ask individuals to work on the Which Tub? page while keeping Math Practices Expectation 5 in mind. Use the Feedback Box to provide students feedback on their ability to show their thinking.

Student Guide: 12 REF
Answers
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SG_Mini
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SG_Mini
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Student Activity Book:
Master: