ABSTRACT

Th e Activity Focus: Ms. Clausen uses an activity by which students can understand the concept of the mean of a set of data while setting the stage for the development of the formula.

As the students got ready for mathematics class, Ms. Clausen distributed the index cards which were used during the median lesson. She then asked for the students to form up in their groups of four. While the students did this, Ms. Clausen asked the supply member of each group to get a set of base-ten blocks. Ms Clausen then said, “We are going to let the number on the card stand for the amount of money you spent in a candy store. You will need your base-ten blocks in order to complete the work on your group lab sheet.” She then handed out the lab sheet and began to circulate around the room. “You have 10 minutes to complete the lab.”