Help your students determine range, median, mode and mean with the help of these math resources.
This is another free collection of resources for teachers from The Curriculum Corner.
We have created a set of anchor charts and activities for you to use in your classroom to help students learn to identify the range, mean, median and mode of a set of data.
What are range, mean, median and mode?
and… how do you find the range, mean, median and mode of a set of data?
Before you are ready to teach these skills, it is important for you to have an understanding of what students will be doing. (We’ve also included this walk through for those parents searching to help their children with homework tonight.)
These four terms are often used in 6th grade math, specifically in the area of statistics. Sometimes these skills are introduced sooner than 6th grade.
Range
The range is the difference between the smallest and the largest number. To find the range you subtract the smallest number from the largest number.
2, 2, 4, 5, 5, 5, 6, 8, 8
The range is 6.
Median
The median is the number in the middle. To find the median, put the numbers in order from least to greatest. Find the number in the middle of the group.
2, 2, 4, 5, 5, 5, 6, 8, 8
The median is 5.
Mode
The mode is the number that appears the most in a group of numbers. To find the mode, you look for the number that is in the set the most.
2, 2, 4, 5, 5, 5, 6, 8, 8
The mode is 5.
Mean
The mean is the average. To find the mean, you add all of the numbers and then divide by the total amount of numbers.
2, 2, 4, 5, 5, 5, 6, 8, 8
2 + 2 + 4 + 5 + 5 + 5 + 6 + 8 + 8 = 99
99 ÷ 9 = 11
The mean is 11.
Printable Math Collection
Our set of materials for finding range, median, mode and mean includes the following:
Anchor Charts
These four anchor charts give students an explanation of how to determine range, median, mode and mean. Along with a definition, each anchor chart includes an example.
Student Guide
The student guide can be added to a math notebook. Students can use this as a reference as needed.
Center Activity
This center includes number cards and a recording page.
Create your center by printing the number cards on card stock. Laminate, cut apart and place the cards in a basket.
Students working at the center will use a recording sheet. You will need to tell students the number of cards they will need for the activity.
Students will record their numbers. Next, they will determine the range, mean, median and mode of the data.
Differentiate this center by having students choose a different number of cards. Also, we have included smaller and larger numbers. Do what works best for your students.
M&M Math
Give each student a pack of M&Ms. (Use a snack size for younger students and an individual size bag for students ready for more of a challenge.)
Have a student sort their M&Ms. They will record their data. Finally, they will determine the range, median, mode and mean.
As an extension, students can create a bar graph to show the M&Ms in their package.
Exit Tickets
Use these half page practice sheets as a quick check of student understanding.
Download this free collection of math printables here:
Looking to link this work to the standards? This collection touches on the following skills:
- Understand that a set of data collected to answer a statistical question has a distribution which can be described by its center, spread, and overall shape.
- Recognize that a measure of center for a numerical data set summarizes all of its values with a single number, while a measure of variation describes how its values vary with a single number.
This calculator is a fun tool that will determine the answer for you. Obviously you won’t use it for students just learning but for students reviewing the skill, this might be a way for them to check their answers.
As with all of our resources, The Curriculum Corner creates these for free classroom use. Our products may not be sold. You may print and copy for your personal classroom use. These are also great for home school families!
You may not modify and resell in any form. Please let us know if you have any questions.
You may not modify and resell in any form. Please let us know if you have any questions.