Introduction and Displaying Data

Weeks 1: August 25

MATH 317/ELMA 517 ~ Probability and Statistics for Teachers ~ Fall 2003

Class meeting schedule and topics

Monday, August 25 ~	Course information, glyphs, and pictographs
Monday, September 8 ~	Categorizing data, bar charts, and pie charts

Homework Assignments

1. Due Monday, September 8

   Required work

   1. Read Book 1 Sections 1, 3, and 4, and Book 2 Sections 1 and 3

   2. Find at least two examples of graphs in newspapers, magazines, or in electronic news publications. The graphs should be different types. Then, for each graph:

      1. Describe the purpose of the graph. That is, what story does the graph tell?
      2. Describe the strongest features of the graph.
      3. List ways in which the graph could be improved.

      4. Bring a collection of objects to class. See the "Materials/Resources" section on Book 1 page 8 for ideas.

      5. Bring a protractor to class.

      Optional work

      • Repeat exercise (b) above.

   2. Due Monday, September 15

      Required work

      1. Read Book 1 Sections 2 & 6 and Book 2 Section 3

      2. Find at least one example of a bar graph and at least one example of a pie chart in newspapers, magazines, or in electronic news publications. For each graph:

         1. Describe the purpose of the graph. That is, what story does the graph tell?
         2. Describe the strongest features of the graph.
         3. List ways in which the graph could be improved.
         4. If the graph is a bar graph, construct the corresponding pie chart. If the graph is a pie chart, construct the corresponding bar graph.

         5. Find or collect a dataset containing at least one categorical variable. Construct a frequency table, a bar chart, and a pie chart for your data. Provide a specific reference, or describe in detail how the data were collected. Write a paragraph describing the story the table and graphs tell.

         Optional work

         • Repeat parts (b) and (c) above by hand or using technology.