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Afterschool Lesson Plan Database

Lesson Plan

Data Analysis and Probability: Graphing Candy with Excel
Subject: Math
Grade span: 5 to 8
Duration: 45 to 60 minutes
This lesson was excerpted from the Afterschool Training Toolkit under the promising practice: Math Tools

Description:

This sample lesson is one example of how you can implement the Math Tools practice. In this activity, students will predict how many M&Ms are in a bag, then collect data and graph their findings in MS-Excel.

Learning Goals:

Materials:

Preparation:

What to Do:

Teaching Tips:

A ratio is a comparison between two numbers, usually represented by two numbers separated by a colon. Students can find multiple ratios with the colored candies. For example, you may ask them to find the ratio of yellow candies to brown candies. If there are seven yellow candies and nine brown candies the ratio of yellow to brown candies would be represented by 7:9. When using ratios, the order of numbers and words are important. The numbers should be written in the same order as stated. For example, in the ratio of yellow to brown candies the number of yellow candies is written in front of the colon while the number of brown candies is written behind.

To compare ratios, change the ratio to a fraction, having the first number become the numerator and the second the denominator. Using the example above, the ratio 7:9 would become 7/9. The ratios are equal if the fractions are equal, for example, 7:9 = 14:18 because 7/9 = 14/18.

Evaluate (Outcomes to look for):

Standards:
Click this link to see additional learning goals, grade-level benchmarks, and standards covered in this lesson.

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