Big Ideas:
Bivariate quantitative data can be represented graphically by drawing a scatterplot.
On a scatterplot, the explanatory variable goes on the x-axis and the response variable goes on the y-axis
We describe a relationship between two quantitative variables by its form, direction, and strength.
This lesson builds on students’ previous work in eighth grade with bivariate quantitative data. The task will ask students to individually place their hand in a bowl of candies and grab as many as they can. They will count the candies they’ve grabbed and measure their hand size, adding it to a classroom data set. Students will then use the classroom data set to identify the explanatory and response variables, construct a scatterplot, and determine the form, direction, and strength of the association.
Vocabulary: quantitative, bivariate, explanatory variable (independent variable), response variable (dependent variable), scatterplot, form, direction, strength
Special Materials:
Large bowl/container
2-3 bags of candies (chewy chocolate taffy candies, square fruit-flavored soft taffy candies, or peppermints)
Lesson plan