SofMath= Organisation of Data

We are finally working on the last topic for secondary 1 for Sofi as we approach the end of 2019. This is my plan for approaching the topic with her. In the first section, we learn how to group raw data into classes, tally and find the frequencies. The aims for this section will be:

• I am able to organise the raw data into different classes
• I can come up with the frequency for each class. 
• I can place the raw data into a given range of values. 
• I can organise the raw data into a range for each class. 
• I can organise the data into a given number of classes. 
• I can organise the data into a range of values for a given number of classes. 

The items in a class are data obtained from a collection exercise such as surveys, interviews and observations. Hence, the information obtained can be varied; quantity, order, alphabetical responses, names, etc. Before the data can be analysed, it needs to be organised to facilitate this process.

What are some ways data can be organised?

• similarity- for example all 'A' answers
• quantity   -   absolute
•                 -   range
• alphabetical order

The groups items are organised into are called 'classes', the number of which depends on the number of variables or if the number of classes have been determined, we need to divide the number of variables by the number of classes. 

The latter requires the student to be able to divide the number of variables by the number of classes and put them in a range if needed. Students may face difficulties if they are not able to see the sequence and the relationship of the numbers to each other. This may be worsened by decimals and fractions. 

Example: 

7.2           5.8           3.6          4.5           6.7           8.1  

in 3 classes can be organised within ranges in this way

3< x <5 div="">

5< x <7 div="">

7< x <9 div="">

There are 6 numbers and 3 classes, hence students can work out that each class would have to include 2 numbers. A number line would help them see the sequence and a review of rounding off whole numbers may help them to see the limits and hence the range they can put the given numbers into. 

Seeing many numbers randomly placed together may trigger panic in any student, what more someone with SpLDMath. To help, students can be taught to circle items that belong to the same class in a particular colour or highlight. Knowing the sequence of carrying out their work would help in their executive functioning when it comes to answering math problems. For this unit, this may be one way they can use: 

1. determine what items should be in each class

2. list down the items that make up each class

3. circle/ highlight the items for the first class

4. tally the number of items for that class

5. total up the frequency for that class

6. repeat for the rest of the classes

When students are familiar with setting up and filling the frequency table, they can move on to analysing and using data to answer related questions. 

I plan to work with Sofi in the following sequence for activities: 

• Group data into classes - give a variety of possible data to familiarise student with different forms of data. 
• Group data into given range
• Given a set of classes, tally and find frequency
• Group data into absolute classes, tally and find frequency
• Group data into a given range within classes, tally and find frequency
• Group data into a range within classes, tally and find frequency
• Group data into a given number of classes, tally and find frequency
• Group data into classes, tally, find frequency and answer questions related to the table created