Math - Sixth Grade

Understand ratio concepts and use ratio reasoning to solve problems (Standards 6.RP.1–3)

Examining California's Prison System: Real-World Ratio
Using an infographic students look at such factors as age, gender and race to examine how the prison population in California compares to the general population. Students then apply an understanding of how they can find the value of a part by using a whole and a percent in order to look at how that can lead to recommendations for how to prevent crime. NOTE: You have to create a Free PBS Account to view this web page, but it is easy to do and worth the effort.
Fraction Conversion 2 (with percents)
When completing this lesson students will understand how to convert fractions, decimals, and percentages.
Grid and Percent It
This lesson plans provides a 10 x 10 model so that students can understand how to solve percent problems.
IXL Game: Ratios, proportions, and percents
This game helps sixth graders understand ratios, proportions, and percents, specifically percents of numbers and money amounts. This is just one of many online games that supports the Utah Math core. Note: The IXL site requires subscription for unlimited use.
Inverse Proportions and Shadows in Practice
in this interactive a figure's shadow is projected on to a screen. Students then observe how the shadow changes as the figure moves farther away . Students also complete a chart that shows the distance of the figure from the light source and the height of the shadow helping them understand inverse proportions. NOTE: You have to create a Free PBS Account to view this web page, but it is easy to do and worth the effort.
Living Wages in CA: Ratio and Rate in the Real World
The use of infographics helps us understand the costs of basic living expenses. The classroom activity has students look at real-life examples and data to calculate whether the minimum wage in their state can be a living wage. NOTE: You have to create a Free PBS Account to view this web page, but it is easy to do and worth the effort.
Mixtures
This activity will help students understand percentages and mixture problems by working with two piles of colored chips.
One-Dimensional Scaling To Find Unknown Heights
An interactive activity helps students understand real-world application of ratios and asks them to scale a model of a T-Rex for a diorama. In the classroom activity students are asked to draw scale models. NOTE: You have to create a Free PBS Account to view this web page, but it is easy to do and worth the effort.
Real World Ratio and Rate Problem: Bianca's Fifty Percent Solution
Viewers follow Bianca as she's drawn into a store by the discounts advertised in this video from Cyberchase. While shopping she understands that while discounts are nice they still can add up when shopping. The classroom activity asks students to calculate the savings on an item when various discounts are applied. NOTE: You have to create a Free PBS Account to view this web page, but it is easy to do and worth the effort.
Real-World Proportional Relationships: Gender Wage Gap
Students use an infographic to understand how wages of today compare with those of 50 years ago in this lesson plan. The classroom activity helps students understand and calculate the wage gap using media salaries for men and women. NOTE: You have to create a Free PBS Account to view this web page, but it is easy to do and worth the effort.
Scaling Up Rectangles Using Simulations
This interactive allows students to create murals in different sizes by understanding two-dimensional scaling. The activity for the classroom has students use graph paper to draw and compare squares with different proportional dimensions and record the data as they change. NOTE: You have to create a Free PBS Account to view this web page, but it is easy to do and worth the effort.
Scaling Up Rectangles in the Real World
By looking at murals in this video students see how artists use proportion and measurement to create them. The class then does an activity where they enlarge a drawing by using scale and then create a classroom mural. NOTE: You have to create a Free PBS Account to view this web page, but it is easy to do and worth the effort.
Similar Figures and Unknown Heights in Practice
Students will learn about proportional reasoning in this interactive and how it can help find an unknown height as well as exploring proportional relationships among similar triangles. The classroom activity uses the interactive as a catalyst into a discussion of these math concepts. NOTE: You have to create a Free PBS Account to view this web page, but it is easy to do and worth the effort.
Similar Figures in the Real World
A visit to the Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory shows students how measurement and engineering are involved in the creation of new baseball bats. The math skills of proportional reasoning and equivalent ratios are used in the classroom activity involving an oversized bat and a player. NOTE: You have to create a Free PBS Account to view this web page, but it is easy to do and worth the effort.

Apply and extend previous understandings of multiplication and division of whole numbers to divide fractions by fractions (Standard 6.NS.1)

Keep, Change, Flip
Students are taught the "Keep, Change, Flip" rule for dividing fractions by viewing this clever Flocabulary rap song. NOTE: You have to create a Free PBS Account to view this web page, but it is easy to do and worth the effort.
Modeling Fraction Division Using Comparison, Group Number Unknown
In this lesson students will learn how to solve a word problem involving the division of fractions by viewing an animation about a hedgehog's hibernation. NOTE: You have to create a Free PBS Account to view this web page, but it is easy to do and worth the effort.
Modeling Fraction Division, Equal Groups, Group Size Unknown
The skill of dividing two fractions by groups of unknown size is the focus of this video. Students will learn how to solve a word problem using this process. NOTE: You have to create a Free PBS Account to view this web page, but it is easy to do and worth the effort.
Modeling Fraction Division, Equal Groups, Number of Groups Unknown
This animated video shows students a model they can use to solve word problems involving the division of fractions. NOTE: You have to create a Free PBS Account to view this web page, but it is easy to do and worth the effort.
Modeling Fraction and Mixed Number Division Using Arrays
Students will learn how to solve word problems that involve dividing fractions and mixed numbers by using a visual model. NOTE: You have to create a Free PBS Account to view this web page, but it is easy to do and worth the effort.

Compute (add, subtract, multiply and divide) fluently with multi-digit numbers and decimals and find common factors and multiples (Standards 6.NS.2–4)

Distributive Property with Variables
Algebra tiles are used to generate equivalent expressions using the distributive property in this instructional video. The classroom activity asks student to further explore the distributive property. NOTE: You have to create a Free PBS Account to view this web page, but it is easy to do and worth the effort.
Equivalent Expressions with the Distributive Property
This animated Math Shorts video explains how the distributive property can help students model and create equivalent expressions. In the accompanying classroom activity, students play a quick game where they identify common factors within an expression and work on a series of problems that expand their understanding of how to apply the distributive property. While the problems begin with whole number expressions, students soon work toward algebraic notation and eventually develop the idea that ax + bx can be rewritten as x(a + b). NOTE: You have to create a Free PBS Account to view this web page, but it is easy to do and worth the effort.
Factors
This lesson is designed to help students understand factors of whole numbers.
Finding Factors
This lesson plan's activities give students practice in finding the factors of whole numbers.
Greatest Common Factor
This video from Math Shorts shows students how to find the greatest common factor of 2 numbers. The classroom activity shows them how Venn diagrams, multiplication and prime factors can also be used to find the greatest common factor. NOTE: You have to create a Free PBS Account to view this web page, but it is easy to do and worth the effort.
Manipulating Graphs
This video demonstrates how to use the slope-intercept of a line to the graph of that line. The classroom activity has them demonstrate their understanding by finding equations for a set of lines through the origin. NOTE: You have to create a Free PBS Account to view this web page, but it is easy to do and worth the effort.
Patterns of Factors
This interactive activity asks students to sort numbers based on the number of factors or prime factors. They are asked to also identify one real-life example of the usefulness of divisibility. NOTE: You have to create a Free PBS Account to view this web page, but it is easy to do and worth the effort.
Sets and the Venn Diagram
This lesson is designed to help students understand the ideas surrounding sets and Venn diagrams.

Apply and extend previous understandings of numbers to the system of rational numbers (Standards 6.NS.5–8)

Absolute Value
This Math Shorts video uses a number line and a real-life example to explain the absolute value of a number. The classroom activity then has the student play a game where they move a penny in both positive and negative directions on a number line. NOTE: You have to create a Free PBS Account to view this web page, but it is easy to do and worth the effort.
Adding Rational Numbers on the Number Line
In this interactive students must solve riddles about a wallaby jumping contest. But they must find equivalent fractions and common denominators to complete the riddle. NOTE: You have to create a Free PBS Account to view this web page, but it is easy to do and worth the effort.
Addition and Subtraction of Integers
A card game in which positive and negative numbers are added together is the subject of this video teaching students how to add and subtract integers. NOTE: You have to create a Free PBS Account to view this web page, but it is easy to do and worth the effort.
Fractions and Decimals from 0 to 1 on the Vertical Number Line
In this interactive students must solve riddles about jumping fleas by placing fractions and decimals on a 0 to 1 number line. NOTE: You have to create a Free PBS Account to view this web page, but it is easy to do and worth the effort.
Fractions, Mixed Numbers, and Decimals on the Number Line
Using the device of a frog-jumping contest, students learn about values on a number line by placing the frogs' jump distances on the line. NOTE: You have to create a Free PBS Account to view this web page, but it is easy to do and worth the effort.
Harry Makes a Big Splash with Positive and Negative Numbers
A video about a swim relay team opens this lesson on combining positive and negative numbers. The classroom activity involves using a number line and a game board and die. Students will write equations that represent the addition of positive and negative numbers. NOTE: You have to create a Free PBS Account to view this web page, but it is easy to do and worth the effort.
Horizontal and Vertical Distances on the Cartesian Graph
In this activity students place marine animals on a Cartesian graph and then determine the horizontal and vertical distance between them. The classroom activity builds on the student's understanding of distances between points on a Cartesian graph. NOTE: You have to create a Free PBS Account to view this web page, but it is easy to do and worth the effort.
IXL Game: Coordinate graphing
This game will help sixth graders learn to graph points on a coordinate plane. This is just one of many online games that supports the Utah Math core. Note: The IXL site requires subscription for unlimited use.
Locating Points on the Cartesian Graph
In this activity students use logic and clues to plot the location of marine animals on a Cartesian graph. NOTE: You have to create a Free PBS Account to view this web page, but it is easy to do and worth the effort.
Manipulating Graphs
This video demonstrates how to use the slope-intercept of a line to the graph of that line. The classroom activity has them demonstrate their understanding by finding equations for a set of lines through the origin. NOTE: You have to create a Free PBS Account to view this web page, but it is easy to do and worth the effort.
Rational Numbers on the Number Line
Riddles about a wallaby jumping contest must be solved in this lesson. Students must place fractions, decimals or mixed numbers representing the lengths of jumps, on a number line from -5 to +5. NOTE: You have to create a Free PBS Account to view this web page, but it is easy to do and worth the effort.
Using the Pythagorean Theorem on the Cartesian Graph
Students place animals on a Cartesian graph in this interactive activity. They then use the Pythagorean Theorem to determine the distance between the animals. NOTE: You have to create a Free PBS Account to view this web page, but it is easy to do and worth the effort.

Apply and extend previous understandings of arithmetic to algebraic expressions involving exponents and variables (Standards 6.EE.1–4)

Algebra Four
This lesson contains a game activity designed to help students practice solving algebraic equations.
Commutative and Associative Equations
This lesson focuses on how to rearrange and combine parts of algebraic expressions by using the commutative and associative properties of addition. NOTE: You have to create a Free PBS Account to view this web page, but it is easy to do and worth the effort.
Determining Surface Area with Unit Blocks, Rulers, and Nets
In this video students are shown how to calculate the surface area of a prism. The classroom activity in the lesson requires that students apply this knowledge and measure the surface areas of real 3-Dl objects. NOTE: You have to create a Free PBS Account to view this web page, but it is easy to do and worth the effort.
Distributive Property with Variables
Algebra tiles are used to generate equivalent expressions using the distributive property in this instructional video. The classroom activity asks student to further explore the distributive property. NOTE: You have to create a Free PBS Account to view this web page, but it is easy to do and worth the effort.
Equivalent Expressions with the Distributive Property
This animated Math Shorts video explains how the distributive property can help students model and create equivalent expressions. In the accompanying classroom activity, students play a quick game where they identify common factors within an expression and work on a series of problems that expand their understanding of how to apply the distributive property. While the problems begin with whole number expressions, students soon work toward algebraic notation and eventually develop the idea that ax + bx can be rewritten as x(a + b). NOTE: You have to create a Free PBS Account to view this web page, but it is easy to do and worth the effort.
IXL Game: Algebra: Evaluate expressions
This game is designed to help sixth graders understand how to evaluate expressions involving integers. This is just one of many online games that supports the Utah Math core. Note: The IXL site requires subscription for unlimited use.
Linear Function Machine
By putting different values into the linear function machine students will explore simple linear functions.
Order of Operations: PEMDAS
A Flocabulary rap song instructs students on the order of operations and then they apply that knowledge to the classroom activity. NOTE: You have to create a Free PBS Account to view this web page, but it is easy to do and worth the effort.

They reason about and solve one-variable equations and inequalities (Standards 6.EE.5–8)

Algebra Four
This lesson contains a game activity designed to help students practice solving algebraic equations.
Balancing Scales To Solve Equations
The focus of this lesson and interactive is balancing algebraic equations. Students engage with the Annenberg interactive to solve 3 balance problems. The classroom activity then asks students to change balance problems into algebraic equations where variables represent unknown amounts. NOTE: You have to create a Free PBS Account to view this web page, but it is easy to do and worth the effort.
Distributive Property with Variables
Algebra tiles are used to generate equivalent expressions using the distributive property in this instructional video. The classroom activity asks student to further explore the distributive property. NOTE: You have to create a Free PBS Account to view this web page, but it is easy to do and worth the effort.
Finding Patterns to Make Predictions
This activity asks students to identify and contemplate mathematical patterns that we see around us. They are asked to represent them in a table and predict the pattern to the 7th, 9th, and nth terms. NOTE: You have to create a Free PBS Account to view this web page, but it is easy to do and worth the effort.
Graphing Inequalities: Fractions and Decimals from 0 to 1
In this interactive, use logic to solve three riddles involving high-jump performers in a flea circus. Then, using knowledge of inequalities, place the fleas in the appropriate range on a vertical number line. NOTE: You have to create a Free PBS Account to view this web page, but it is easy to do and worth the effort.
Graphing Inequalities: Fractions, Mixed Numbers, and Decimals
In this interactive, use logic to solve three riddles involving a jumping frog competition. Then, using knowledge of inequalities and rational numbers, place the frogs in the correct range from 0 to 5 on a number line. NOTE: You have to create a Free PBS Account to view this web page, but it is easy to do and worth the effort.
Graphing Inequalities: Rational Numbers
In this interactive, use logic to solve three riddles involving a jumping wallaby competition. Then, using knowledge of inequalities and rational numbers, place the wallabies on the correct range from 5 to 5 on the number line. NOTE: You have to create a Free PBS Account to view this web page, but it is easy to do and worth the effort.

Represent and analyze quantitative relationships between dependent and independent variables in a real-world context (Standard 6.EE.9)

Algebra Four
This lesson contains a game activity designed to help students practice solving algebraic equations.
Finding Patterns to Make Predictions
This activity asks students to identify and contemplate mathematical patterns that we see around us. They are asked to represent them in a table and predict the pattern to the 7th, 9th, and nth terms. NOTE: You have to create a Free PBS Account to view this web page, but it is easy to do and worth the effort.
Linear Function Machine
By putting different values into the linear function machine students will explore simple linear functions.
Linear Inequalities
This online tutorial is designed to help the student to understand the vocabulary of inequalities and then use addition, subtraction, multiplication and division to solve linear inequalities.

Solve real-world and mathematical problems involving area, surface area, and volume (Standards 6.G.1–4)

2D Nets and 3D Decorative Boxes
Calculating the surface area of cardboard boxes is the focus of this interactive activity. The classroom activity takes this knowledge and asks the students for figure out how many square inches of wrapping paper is needed to wrap a gift. NOTE: You have to create a Free PBS Account to view this web page, but it is easy to do and worth the effort.
A Place in Space
In this lesson the student is asked to describe a point in space using coordinates.
Area
This lesson is designed to help students be able to calculate the area of a random shape on a grid, explain the correlation between the size of the perimeter and the number of different possible areas that can be contained within that perimeter.
Area Explorations
In this lesson, students will explore the area of irregular shapes to find multiple different methods for calculating area
Areas of Irregular Shapes: Building Sailboats
Learn how wooden boat builders use a variety of mathematical concepts when custom designing their vessels. This video focuses on how area, volume, and measurements of irregular shapes are used in the engineering process, taking math out of the classroom and into real world problem solving.
Boxed In and Wrapped Up
This lesson asks students to find the volume and surface area of a rectangular box and then convert it into a cubical box with the same volume.
Cartesian Coordinate System
This lesson is designed to help students understand the Cartesian plane, specifically how to plot points, read coordinates and find the ratio of the rise over run for slope.
Determining Surface Area with Unit Blocks, Rulers, and Nets
In this video students are shown how to calculate the surface area of a prism. The classroom activity in the lesson requires that students apply this knowledge and measure the surface areas of real 3-Dl objects. NOTE: You have to create a Free PBS Account to view this web page, but it is easy to do and worth the effort.
Great Modeling Tasks in Three Acts - File Cabinet
This surface area activity has students answer the question: How many stickies cover the cabinet?
Horizontal and Vertical Distances on the Cartesian Graph
In this activity students place marine animals on a Cartesian graph and then determine the horizontal and vertical distance between them. The classroom activity builds on the student's understanding of distances between points on a Cartesian graph. NOTE: You have to create a Free PBS Account to view this web page, but it is easy to do and worth the effort.
Pentagon Puzzles
By deconstructing pentagons into triangles, students in this activity learn how to calculate the area of pentagons.
Scale Models and Three-Dimensional Scaling in Practice
Students can use this interactive to explore how an object changes when enlarged by a factor of 10. They put this understanding to use in the activity when they compare two cubes of different sizes by volume and surface area. NOTE: You have to create a Free PBS Account to view this web page, but it is easy to do and worth the effort.
Surface Area , Area and Volume: The Big Sleep
In this video, Bianca is planning a sleepover for friends. She has to figure out how many people she can invite because the floor will only hold so many sleeping bags. She must calculate both the surface area of the floor and the surface area of a sleeping bag. NOTE: You have to create a Free PBS Account to view this web page, but it is easy to do and worth the effort.
Surface Area and Volume
An online activity is the focus of this lesson plan to help students understand the concepts of surface area and volume.
Surface Area of Prisms
In this lesson students will understand surface area and how solve for the surface area of triangular prisms.
Surface Area of a Rectangular Prisms
This lesson will help students understand surface area and solve problems using the surface area of a rectangular prism.
Table for 22: A Real-World Geometry Project
This Teaching Channel video has students apply knowledge of area and perimeter to solve real-world problems. This site provides a lesson plan and student handouts. (13 minutes)
The Largest Container: Problems Using Volume and Shape
By using a single sheet of paper this interactive leads students to construct shapes, calculate volume, and think about the relationships between different shapes. NOTE: You have to create a Free PBS Account to view this web page, but it is easy to do and worth the effort.
Triangle Area
This interactive lesson plan will help students understand how to find the area of a right triangle.
Triangle Explorer
The applet in this lesson allows students to draw triangles and calculate their area.
Volume of Prisms
This is a lesson designed to help students understand how to solve problems for the volume of triangular prisms.
Volume of Rectangular Prisms
This lesson is designed to help students understand how to solve for the volume of rectangular prisms.
What's Fun About Surface Area?
In this Teaching Channel video an educator helps students construct an understanding of surface area. (7 minutes)

Develop understanding of statistical variability of data (Standards 6.SP.1–3)

Box Plots
By completing this lesson students will understand the concept of median, quartiles, and how to build a box plot.
Comparative Experimental Design
This Annenberg Learner's Learning Math interactive teaches students the difference between the design of comparative observational studies and comparative experimental studies. Students then design their own study in the classroom activity. NOTE: You have to create a Free PBS Account to view this web page, but it is easy to do and worth the effort.
Data Analysis Using Mean, Median, Mode, and Range
There are 4 videos in this lesson helping students learn about mean, median, mode and range. The classroom activity consists of a game in which students make attempts to get a pom-pom into a can. They collect the data about attempts. then calculate the mean, median, mode and range. NOTE: You have to create a Free PBS Account to view this web page, but it is easy to do and worth the effort.
Data Organization and Representation: Weather Forecasting
In this lesson's video students see how a meteorologist organizes weather data for a presentation on-air. Students are then given sets of recent weather data which they must analyze to find the center and variability. They then predict the next day's temperature based on those statistics. NOTE: You have to create a Free PBS Account to view this web page, but it is easy to do and worth the effort.
Examining California's Prison System: Real-World Ratio
Using an infographic students look at such factors as age, gender and race to examine how the prison population in California compares to the general population. Students then apply an understanding of how they can find the value of a part by using a whole and a percent in order to look at how that can lead to recommendations for how to prevent crime. NOTE: You have to create a Free PBS Account to view this web page, but it is easy to do and worth the effort.
Gathering Data for a Line Plot
Two interactives are used in this lesson and both involve counting raisins in boxes and then plotting a graph. Students extend their understanding of mean, median, mode, and range after creating line plots in the classroom activity. NOTE: You have to create a Free PBS Account to view this web page, but it is easy to do and worth the effort.
How Long Is a Minute?
This activity is designed to give students an understanding of arithmetic mean, median, and range of data sets. They practice using a virtual stopwatch in the interactive to estimate how long a minute is. They collect the data from repeat guesses and use that in the activity. NOTE: You have to create a Free PBS Account to view this web page, but it is easy to do and worth the effort.
IXL Game: Statistics
This game is designed to help sixth graders understand how to calculate mean, median, mode, and range.
Line Plot Representation of Deviation from the Mean
The concepts of means and deviations are the focus of this interactive from Annenberg. Students manipulate dots on a line graph to experiments with deviation. The classroom activity helps them understand positive and negative deviation. NOTE: You have to create a Free PBS Account to view this web page, but it is easy to do and worth the effort.
Make a Stem and Leaf Plot
Students use data values to create stem and leaf plots with this interactive. This is further explored in the classroom activity which also asks students to interpret data to answer a question. NOTE: You have to create a Free PBS Account to view this web page, but it is easy to do and worth the effort.
Math Task: The Missing Words
Math Task Overview: Students should be able to explain a reasonable strategy for determining the number of missing words. They should accurately compute the mean and range, and select an appropriate graph for displaying the data. Students will explore the concepts of variability and distribution of a data set.
Measuring Variability Through Tracking Wildfires
Data about wildfires in the U.S. is the basis of this lesson. Students examine the data about active fires as well as historical data and use that data to find changes across decades. NOTE: You have to create a Free PBS Account to view this web page, but it is easy to do and worth the effort.
Prison Population: Real World Statistical Variability
Statistical data about changes in state and national prison populations from 1925 is the focus of this lesson. Students examine the data to make observations, find patterns and calculate the median and range. NOTE: You have to create a Free PBS Account to view this web page, but it is easy to do and worth the effort.
Recognize and Represent Proportional Relationships Between Quantities: Ratio, Proportion, Cross Mult
Four videos are included in this lesson explaining ratio, proportion and how to use the shortcut of cross multiply and divide. Students then play the game "Pom-Pom Nose Push" to collect data and determine the ratio of time to distance. NOTE: You have to create a Free PBS Account to view this web page, but it is easy to do and worth the effort.
Spinner
By manipulating a spinner and its pointer students will learn about probability in this activity.
The Bell Curve
This lesson and activity introduces the student to the concept of the Bell Curve and distribution.
The Hunger Games
By analyzing the lottery system used in the novel Hunger Games students will learn about probability. Students then create their own lottery system based on criteria from the novel in the accompanying classroom activity. NOTE: You have to create a Free PBS Account to view this web page, but it is easy to do and worth the effort.
The Median: Salary.com
By looking at the data on the website Salary.com students will understand the application of quartiles and percentiles to understand and compare salaries. In the activity students use data set about salaries to create box plots and look at pay differentials. NOTE: You have to create a Free PBS Account to view this web page, but it is easy to do and worth the effort.
Variation About the Mean: The Boston Harbor Project
The use and statistical analysis of data in the efforts to improve the water quality in Boston Harbor is the subject of this video. Students then apply an understanding of mean absolute deviation to examine data. They also use data about bacteria found in a river in an analysis of what that data set tells. NOTE: You have to create a Free PBS Account to view this web page, but it is easy to do and worth the effort.

Summarize and describe distributions (Standards 6.SP.4–5)

Box Plot and Five Number Summaries
An understanding of the terms minimum, maximum, median, and quartiles is the focus of this lesson. Students first use the interactive to compare different representations, then learn how to create a visual representation of data. NOTE: You have to create a Free PBS Account to view this web page, but it is easy to do and worth the effort.
Box Plots
By completing this lesson students will understand the concept of median, quartiles, and how to build a box plot.
Comparing A Stem and Leaf Plot, Histogram, and Frequency Table
This lesson is all about the different ways to represent data. Students then practice creating various representations when given data. NOTE: You have to create a Free PBS Account to view this web page, but it is easy to do and worth the effort.
Data Analysis Using Mean, Median, Mode, and Range
There are 4 videos in this lesson helping students learn about mean, median, mode and range. The classroom activity consists of a game in which students make attempts to get a pom-pom into a can. They collect the data about attempts. then calculate the mean, median, mode and range. NOTE: You have to create a Free PBS Account to view this web page, but it is easy to do and worth the effort.
Data Organization and Representation: Weather Forecasting
In this lesson's video students see how a meteorologist organizes weather data for a presentation on-air. Students are then given sets of recent weather data which they must analyze to find the center and variability. They then predict the next day's temperature based on those statistics. NOTE: You have to create a Free PBS Account to view this web page, but it is easy to do and worth the effort.
Describing Distributions: New Balance
Using the shoe company New Balance, this video takes a look at how the company uses statistical data to plan what to produce and sell. Students then discuss how data can be applied in real world situation. NOTE: You have to create a Free PBS Account to view this web page, but it is easy to do and worth the effort.
Examining California's Prison System: Real-World Ratio
Using an infographic students look at such factors as age, gender and race to examine how the prison population in California compares to the general population. Students then apply an understanding of how they can find the value of a part by using a whole and a percent in order to look at how that can lead to recommendations for how to prevent crime. NOTE: You have to create a Free PBS Account to view this web page, but it is easy to do and worth the effort.
Gathering Data for a Line Plot
Two interactives are used in this lesson and both involve counting raisins in boxes and then plotting a graph. Students extend their understanding of mean, median, mode, and range after creating line plots in the classroom activity. NOTE: You have to create a Free PBS Account to view this web page, but it is easy to do and worth the effort.
How Long Is a Minute?
This activity is designed to give students an understanding of arithmetic mean, median, and range of data sets. They practice using a virtual stopwatch in the interactive to estimate how long a minute is. They collect the data from repeat guesses and use that in the activity. NOTE: You have to create a Free PBS Account to view this web page, but it is easy to do and worth the effort.
Line Plot Representation of Deviation from the Mean
The concepts of means and deviations are the focus of this interactive from Annenberg. Students manipulate dots on a line graph to experiments with deviation. The classroom activity helps them understand positive and negative deviation. NOTE: You have to create a Free PBS Account to view this web page, but it is easy to do and worth the effort.
Make a Stem and Leaf Plot
Students use data values to create stem and leaf plots with this interactive. This is further explored in the classroom activity which also asks students to interpret data to answer a question. NOTE: You have to create a Free PBS Account to view this web page, but it is easy to do and worth the effort.
Math Task: The Missing Words
Math Task Overview: Students should be able to explain a reasonable strategy for determining the number of missing words. They should accurately compute the mean and range, and select an appropriate graph for displaying the data. Students will explore the concepts of variability and distribution of a data set.
Pie Chart
Students enter values in this applet and create pie charts in which they can vary the number or size of sections and display as fractions or percentages.
Real-World Data Sets: Low- and High-Paying Jobs
Infographics with data about the highest and lowest paying jobs in the U.S. is the basis of this lesson. Students examine the data to find the disparity between the high and low rates and create box plots to represent the data. NOTE: You have to create a Free PBS Account to view this web page, but it is easy to do and worth the effort.
Responses to a Court Verdict: Analyzing Samples to Gain Understanding
The infographic basis of this activity pulls the Trayvon Martin case out of the headlines to examine the data collected from a poll about the case. The students need to analyze the responses to conclude whether the results fall along racial lines. NOTE: You have to create a Free PBS Account to view this web page, but it is easy to do and worth the effort.
Student Task: Candy Bars
In this task, students analyze a survey to decide how many candy bars students typically eat in a week.
Student Task: Suzi's Company
In this task, students must help Suzi figure out the annual salary bill for her company and check some statistics about rates of pay.
Summarize Numerical Data Sets Using Venn Diagrams
The 3 videos in this lesson teach students about Venn diagrams: ones with 2 circles; those with 3 circles; and those with a circle within a circle. Students then apply their understanding to activities where they have to represent certain things, such as students' clothing colors, with a Venn diagram. NOTE: You have to create a Free PBS Account to view this web page, but it is easy to do and worth the effort.
The Bell Curve
This lesson and activity introduces the student to the concept of the Bell Curve and distribution.
The Hunger Games
By analyzing the lottery system used in the novel Hunger Games students will learn about probability. Students then create their own lottery system based on criteria from the novel in the accompanying classroom activity. NOTE: You have to create a Free PBS Account to view this web page, but it is easy to do and worth the effort.
The Median: Salary.com
By looking at the data on the website Salary.com students will understand the application of quartiles and percentiles to understand and compare salaries. In the activity students use data set about salaries to create box plots and look at pay differentials. NOTE: You have to create a Free PBS Account to view this web page, but it is easy to do and worth the effort.
Using Graphs to Identify Patterns and Trends in US Immigrant Residency
Understanding where immigrants lived and how they moved is the focus of the info graphic used in this lesson. Students interpret the graph to understand the history of immigration in our country and look at patterns, trends and growth. NOTE: You have to create a Free PBS Account to view this web page, but it is easy to do and worth the effort.
Variation About the Mean: The Boston Harbor Project
The use and statistical analysis of data in the efforts to improve the water quality in Boston Harbor is the subject of this video. Students then apply an understanding of mean absolute deviation to examine data. They also use data about bacteria found in a river in an analysis of what that data set tells. NOTE: You have to create a Free PBS Account to view this web page, but it is easy to do and worth the effort.

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Math - Sixth Grade