Mathematics Grade 8
Educational Links

Strand: STATISTICS AND PROBABILITY (8.SP)

Investigate patterns of association in bivariate data (Standards 8.SP.1-4).

• Animal Brains
  The purpose of this task is for students to create scatterplots, and think critically about associations and outliers in data as well as informally fit a trend line to data. This task provides an example of how students could informally fit a line to bivariate data without using technology to "magically" make the line appear.
• Birds' Eggs
  This task asks students to glean contextual information about bird eggs from a collection of measurements of said eggs organized in a scatter plot. In particular, students are asked to identify a correlation and use it to make interpolative predictions, and reason about the properties of specific eggs via the graphical presentation of the data.
• Bivariate Data and Analysis: Anthropological Studies
  This lesson opens with a video from an anthropologist explaining how he uses bivariate data to examine the impact that slavery had on the slave's height and weight. Students then use his data in the classroom activity which has them study the relationship between tibia and femur measurements and a person's stature. NOTE: You have to create a Free PBS Account to view this web page, but it is easy to do and worth the effort.
• Chapter 6 - Mathematical Foundation (UMSMP)
  This is Chapter 6 of the Utah Middle School Math: Grade 8 textbook. It provides a Mathematical Foundation for Statistics: Investigate patterns of Association in Bivariate Data.
• Chapter 6 - Student Workbook (UMSMP)
  This is Chapter 6 of the Utah Middle School Math: Grade 8 student workbook. It focuses on Statistics: Investigate patterns of Association in Bivariate Data.
• Create a Graph
  This applet allows students to create bar, line, area, pie, and XY graphs.
• Grade 8 Math Module 6: Linear Functions (EngageNY)
  In Grades 6 and 7, students worked with data involving a single variable. Module 6 introduces students to bivariate data. Students are introduced to a function as a rule that assigns exactly one value to each input. In this module, students use their understanding of functions to model the possible relationships of bivariate data. This module is important in setting a foundation for students work in algebra in Grade 9.
• Grade 8 Unit 6: Linear Models and Tables (Georgia Standards)
  In this unit students will identify the rate of change and the initial value from tables, graphs, equations, or verbal descriptions; write a model for a linear function; sketch a graph when given a verbal description of a situation; analyze scatter plots; informally develop a line of best fit; use bivariate data to create graphs and linear models; and recognize patterns and interpret bivariate data.
• Hand span and height
  Do taller people tend to have bigger hands? To investigate this question, each student will measure his or her hand span (in cm) and height (in inches) and record these values in a table given.
• IXL Game: Linear Functions: Slope of a Graph
  This game will help eighth graders learn to find the slope of a graph. This is just one of many online games that supports the Utah Math core. Note: The IXL site requires subscription for unlimited use.
• Laptop Battery Charge
  This task uses a situation that is familiar to students to solve a problem they probably have all encountered before: How long will it take until an electronic device has a fully charged battery? The goal of the task is to find and use a linear model answer this question.
• Lesson Starter: Populated Communities
  Students will use statistics and probability knowledge, as well as critical thinking skills, to solve problems.
• Linear Regression and Correlation
  In this lesson students will plot data onto a scatter plot and then determine the line of best fit for the data sets.
• Multi-Function Data Flyer
  The applet in this lesson allows students to plot ordered pairs and then change the values in order to observe the effects of those changes.
• Music and Sports
  Is there an association between whether a student plays a sport and whether he or she plays a musical instrument? This task asks students to answer two questions about this and record answers on a table. They then create a graph that would help visualize the association, if any, between playing a sport and playing a musical instrument.
• Scatter Plot
  The applet included in this lesson allows the student to enter ordered pairs and plot them.
• Simple Plot
  The applet in this lesson plan allows the student to plot ordered pairs and understand functions.
• Statistics and Probability (8.SP) - 8th Grade Core Guide
  The Utah State Board of Education (USBE) and educators around the state of Utah developed these guides for Mathematics Grade 8 Statistics and Probability.
• Student Task: Bird's Eggs
  In this task students will user a scatter graph to investigate a possible connection between the length and width of bird's eggs.
• Student Task: Birds' Eggs
  In this task, students use a scatter graph to look for patterns in the size of birds' eggs.
• Student Task: Scatter Diagram
  In this task, students will use a scatter diagram to compare the results of two school tests.
• Student Task: Short Tasks - Statistics and Probability
  A set of short tasks for grades 7 and 8 reinforcing statistics and probability.
• Student Task: Sugar Prices
  In this task, students must use a graph showing the prices and weights of bags of sugar to find the bag offering the best value for money.
• Texting and Grades I
  This task asks the question "what is the relationship between the number of text messages high school students send and their academic achievement?" In a random sample of 52 students from a school students were asked how many text messages were sent and their grade point average (GPA) during the most recent marking period. The data is summarized in a scatter plot of the number of text messages sent versus the GPA. For this task students must describe the relationship between number of text messages sent and GPA and discuss both the overall pattern and any deviations from the pattern.
• Univariate and Bivariate Data
  This lesson helps students understand these two types of data and choose the best type of graph or measure appropriate to each.
• US Airports, Assessment Variation
  This is one of two assessment tasks illustrating the similarities and differences between the 8th grade standards in Functions and in Statistics and Probability. This one uses a linear function to model a relationship between two quantities that show statistical variation and do not have an exact linear relationship.
• What's Your Favorite Subject?
  Given a table of data, students are asked whether there is there an association between a favorite academic subject and their grade for students at a school. They must support their answer by calculating appropriate relative frequencies using the given data.

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http://www.uen.org - in partnership with Utah State Board of Education (USBE) and Utah System of Higher Education (USHE).  Send questions or comments to USBE Specialist - Lindsey  Henderson and see the Mathematics - Secondary website. For general questions about Utah's Core Standards contact the Director - Jennifer  Throndsen.

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