Prior to the lesson
Download the KLRN Streaming Video Math Monsters: Data Collection to your multimedia computer desktop. Save the segments of the video separately as they will be viewed at different parts of the lesson.
Save the file pancake1.xls (file 1) to your student shared drive.
Day 1:
Begin by viewing KLRN Streaming Video Math Monsters: Data Collection segments 1-4 (The Math Monsters Song through Looking at the Data). When you are in full screen view, you can right click and pause the video at any time to allow for discussion and questioning. Right click again and select play to resume.
Explain that your class is going to collect data about favorite pancake flavors from your class and three other classes. Ask students to record their prediction about what the favorite flavor will be. Give students manilla paper on which to record their survey results. Have each student come to the multimedia computer and enter their favorite flavor on Sheet 1 (Our Class Survey) of the pancake1.xls (file 1) file. They will type their name on the Student side, then enter the number 1 under the pancake flavor they want to vote for.
Send teams to three other classes to gather their pancake flavor data. When the students return, use your multimedia computer and have each team come up and enter their data on worksheet 2 of the pancake1.xls (file 1) file.
After class, save this file back onto the student shared drive. Go to My Computer, navigate to the file, right click on the file name, select Properties, and mark the file as read-only, apply and OK. This will allow multiple students to work on the file on day 2 of your lesson.
Day 2:
Begin by viewing KLRN Streaming Video Math Monsters: Data Collection segment 5 (Putting All the Data Together: Making a Bar Graph).
In the computer lab, or using laptops in the classroom, go to Sheet 3 of the pancake1.xls file and show students how their pancake data from the survey translated into a pie chart graph. Go to Sheet 4 and show how it translated into a bar graph. Students will now work on their own copies of the file, selecting either Sheet 3 or Sheet 4 to answer questions about the data. Students can work individually, or with a partner/team.
Day 3: (optional)
Display Sheet 5 and lead a discussion about which graph matches the data given in the problems. Have students create their own graphs and data tables to make a problem for someone else to solve. Use the student products in follow-up centers. Instructions on how the teacher can modify this page for future use are found on Sheet 6.