Integrating Math and Sports Project

Author:
Beverly Powell

State of Origin:
Delaware

Subject Area: Math

Grade Level: 5-6


Summary

Upper grade elementary in students at St. Thomas the Apostle School in Delaware examined sets of real sports data from various Internet sites and found the mean, median, mode and range of the data. They they created graphs and analyzed the data.

Objective(s)

  • Students will find the mean, median, mode and range of sports scores.
  • Students will use the Internet, Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel to compile, organize and analyze their information.

National Standards

Check your own state and districts standards.

Technology and/or Materials Needed

  • Computers with Internet access
  • Calculators
  • Microsoft Word
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Printer (preferably color)

Implementation Time Frame

2 weeks

Activities

(Note: It would be a good idea to do a sample of this whole lesson as a class first so students are comfortable with their assigment.)

  1. Have students work in pairs to choose a set data from one of the sports websites of their choice that they would like to analyze. You may have students pick any type of data they would like from sports or you may want to choose similar types of data in sports to discuss differences and trends (e.g., points per game, batting average of a players, comparing ages of athletes from various sports or length of playing years, etc.)

    Links for Integrated Sports Project

  2. Have students find the mean, median, mode and range of their set of data.
  3. Have students create a table in Word that displays the data as well as the mean, median, mode and range of their set of data. Remind students to cite their Internet source and to include the date they viewed the site.
  4. Have students create an appropriate type of graph on Microsoft Excel.
  5. In their Word document, have students write several interpretations such as "Based our graph, I know that..."
  6. For an extension, you may wish to have students interprete each other's graphs.

Assessment

To create an assessment rubric, check out Rubistar and select "Multimedia Project". (Rubistar is a site that enables you to make quick and easy rubrics with pre-set criteria). You may want to add the following criteria: use of the Internet, use of Microsoft Work, use of Microsoft Excel, level of interpretions, and level of success within cooperative grouping.

Resources and Links

  • eSchoolHouse/ebackpack is a way of organizing your class on-line for access for you as a teacher, as well as for students and their parents. Teachers can post homework and a class calendar. Students can access an on-line calculator and dictionary.
  • Check out Netfiles' Net-igration for this month for links.

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