Unit 4 • Lesson 20.8h
Descriptive Statistics: What Does Normal Look Like?
Before making predictions about weekend sales, students need to understand what "normal" looks like. Descriptive statistics form the foundation for identifying outliers and building forecasts.
What You'll Learn
- ▶Calculate and interpret the mean as a measure of typical performance
- ▶Calculate and interpret the median as a resistant measure of center
- ▶Explain what spread tells us about data variability
- ▶Distinguish between mean and median and know when to use each
Key Concepts
Mean: arithmetic average
Median: middle value when sorted
Spread: range and variability
+1 more concepts
Lesson Phases
This lesson follows a structured 6-phase learning model designed for authentic project-based learning.
Hook
Activate prior knowledge and surface the need for statistics
Introduction
Explicit instruction on mean, median, and spread with café examples
Guided Practice
Extended practice with varied data and reduced scaffolding
Independent Practice
Algorithmic practice with automatic checking and mastery targets
Assessment
MCQ exit ticket on definitions, interpretation, and misconceptions
Closing
Reflection and preview of next lesson
How You'll Learn
Concrete-to-representational-to-abstract progression
Café sales data provides authentic business context
Multiple representations before abstraction