Brianna Bloom
Lesson Plan
Mathematics: Data Analysis
Introduction
• Lesson topic: Normal distribution and introduction to z-scores
• Length of lesson: approximately 50 - 60 minutes
• VA Standards of Learning:
AFDA.7: The student will analyze the normal distribution. Key concepts
include:
a) Characteristics of normally distributed data
b) Percentiles
c) Normalizing data using z-scores
d) Area under the standard normal curve and probability
Learning Objectives
Students will…
• Review previous vocabulary and formulas for mean, variance and standard
deviations
• Understand how mean, variance and standard deviations affect z-scores
• Calculate z-scores for data
• Compare data using z-scores
Materials
• Normal Distribution Warm Up Set
• Z-Score PowerPoint
• 2008 Quarterback Salary Data Activity Instructions
• 2008 Quarterback Salary Data Worksheet
• Homework Activity
Teaching and Learning Sequence
• Introduction/Anticipatory Set
When students arrive to class, they will complete a brief (5 minute)
warm-up exercise asking them to recall the definition and formula for
mean, variance and standard deviation.
After 5 minutes, the teacher will ask for volunteers to write their
answers on the board, and have a short class discussion.
• Lesson Development
The teacher will introduce the lesson relating how the terms in the
warm up apply.
The first part of the PowerPoint will be gone over with the class to
introduce the students to the z-score and what it means.
Students will be given time to ask questions, and receive clarification
on any terms or ideas presented.
The teacher will work two z-score problems with the class, and then
have the students do one problem on their own with teacher follow up.
Brianna Bloom
Lesson Plan
The teacher will walk around the room while students are working
their own problem to provide any assistance that is needed.
The teacher will present the answer to the student solved problem, and
ask if students have any questions over the material.
Questions will be answered and material re-taught if necessary.
In the next phase of the lesson, students will be introduced to the NFL
Quarterback Salaries activity.
• The teacher will hand out both the 2008 Quarterback Salary
activity instructions and worksheet to the students, and go over
the instructions with the class.
• The second half of the lesson’s PowerPoint will be shown, and
students will fill in the data from the presentation into their
worksheet.
• The teacher and students will work together to complete the
first four rows of the table.
• The teacher will break the students into groups and assign them
an AFC/NFC location.
• The teacher will go over what each group is to accomplish
during their group work session.
• The students will have about 10 minutes to work together in
their groups and solve the assigned problems.
• The teacher will then regroup the class to their seats and ask if
there were any questions or problems with the group activity.
• The teacher will then hand out an answer guide to each student,
and briefly review it with the class.
• Closure
The teacher will do a quick overview of the lesson, hitting on the key
points from the day.
The teacher will ask students for any remaining questions they may
have about anything covered.
Introduce the homework assignment, and hand out the homework
worksheet to students.
The teacher will briefly go over the homework questions and ask if
any students have questions about the assignment.
If there are no questions, students will be dismissed from class.
Homework
• Students will be given a worksheet based on the Quarterback Salaries activity
done in class to complete for the following day.
Assessment
• Formative
Students will be asked to write answers from their warm-up activity on
the board, showing understanding of previously mastered material.
Brianna Bloom
Lesson Plan
Students will be asked to compare answers in a small group, holding
them accountable for their work.
Teacher will be circulating the classroom while students are working
individually and in groups, assessing mastery of new information.
Teacher will provide help when needed, and observe students’ work.
Teacher will be assuring that work materials and text books are being
used properly.
• Summative
The students ability to work in groups will be assessed.
The homework worksheet will be turned in and graded the following
day to assess students’ understanding of lesson material.
References
• Websites used to create this lesson:
www.ohiorc.org/orc_documents/orc/value-
added/documents/GLOSSARY.doc
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Variance
http://content.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/salaries/playersbyposi
tion.aspx?pos=132&order=Salary+desc&loc=interstitialskip
www.doe.virginia.gov
