KS4 Box and Whisker
Higher:
This list comprises a number of resources for around 4 lessons to cumulate in a good understanding of box and whisker plots.
Before using these resources students should have prior knowledge of data, median, range, mode mean and interquartile range. It would help to understand frequency tables but it could begin at this point also.
The first stage is ‘Understanding Mean, Median, Mode and Range’ a Flash application showing a set of raw scores that are put into a frequency table and the raw scores can be changed. This gives an understanding that when the raw scores become too many then it helps to summarise them in a frequency table. It also shows ways for this data to be displayed. A lesson plan is included with recording sheets for pupils who then complete the display of the statistical results.
The second stage is ‘Interpreting bar charts, pie charts, box and whisker plots’ with a Flash application that extends the first section. The teacher inputs the raw scores for a frequency table and pupils record this on a record sheet. This is displayed in a bar chart, pie chart, mean etc as well as a box and whisker plot.
A lesson plan is included with recording sheets for pupils who then complete the display of the statistical results. The teacher can hide the box and whisker plot until pupils have finished allowing self marking.
Interquartile range can be supported with ‘Handling Data’ that contains an information sheet for any pupils who need support for interquartile range and the links to the various parts of a box and whisker plot.
A worksheet is provide via ‘Box and Whisker Worksheet’ for pupils to complete and works in conjunction with the information sheet.
Understanding Mean, Median, Mode and Range
Using the Flash application pupils can view a set of raw scores that are put into a frequency table and the raw scores can be changed. This gives an understanding that when the raw scores become too many then it helps to summarise them in a frequency table.
A bar chart shows how this can be displayed and the mean, median, mode and range are shown.
The pdf gives a lesson plan with a recording sheet so pupils can record the raw scores and work out the remaining data.
Interpreting bar charts, pie charts, box and whisker plots
Using the Flash application pupils can view a frequency table where the summarised data can be amended.
This data is then displayed using a bar chart, pie chart, [mean, mode, median, range], and box and whisker plot.
This gives a good visual example of how the box and whisker plot changes as the raw data changes to give a sound understanding for this more advanced task.
The pdf gives a full lesson plan that could easily span two or three lessons if pupils display the raw data in all the formats shown.
For just box and whisker plots the recording sheet is ideal for the teacher to change the data and then hide the result on the screen. The pupils complete the recording sheet and draw the box plot, the teacher then reveals the result and self marking occurs.
Handling Data
The information sheet summarises the interquartile range of a box and whisker plot. As such for this list it can be used to introduce the link between the interquartile range and box and whisker sections.
This supports 'Interpreting bar charts' that also describes these relationships.
Box & Whisker Worksheet
The worksheet can be used in conjunction with the information sheet above. This gives a set of raw data and shows how to construct a box and whisker plot for the Female members and leaves the pupils to construct the Male box and whisker plot.