Mathematical Language

Mathematical language can be difficult for some students to comprehend when they are being taught new topics. Statistics and Probability, Single Variable Data Analysis, is one such area of the Stage 4 NSW Syllabus, that some students may have difficulty when trying to comprehend the mathematical language within the subject area.  At this stage of the students schooling they should have been introduced to statistics and probability, but would most likely not have been introduced to the language needed to successfully complete Stage 4.  Within this stage of the syllabus the students are also expected to use appropriate language learnt within the classroom to explain data.

 

The link below opens a document that;

1. Details of what are the language difficulties that are likely to arise when teaching this topic? What strategies could be employed to overcome these difficulties? How can these strategies be modified to accommodate diversity among learners? 
2. An indicative plan detailing the number of lessons and the assume length of each lesson 
3. The outcomes for each lesson (taken from the draft syllabus) 
4. A brief outline (1-2 paragraphs) outlining the particular language issues and the associated pedagogical strategies to be used in each lesson and a justification of those strategies.
   
   The Document

Stage 5 Statistics and Probaility

Gapminder Assignment

This Gapminder Assignment covers the following in  the  Mathematics Syllabus - Stage 5 (5.1 pathway), Statistics and Probability, Single Variable Data- Analysis

Outcome, a student:

• Uses appropriate terminology, diagrams and symbols in mathematical contexts MA5.1-1WMSelects and uses appropriate strategies to solve problems MA5.1-2WM
• Provides reasoning to support conclusions which are appropriate to the context MA5.1-3WM 
• Uses statistical displays to compare sets of data, and evaluates statistical claims made in the media MA5.1-12S

 
The task is a group activity in which each group is to be given a data set to investigate through Gapminder.  The group is to compare Australia with an oceanic country and 2 Asian countries 

of their choice.  Once they have compared the first data set they are then asked to change a variable to come up with a cause or effect.  Each  group then needs to compile a report on their finding along with media articles that are relevant to the data that they have been analysing.

Gapminder Task 
 

Along with the task here is a  sample of a marking rubric that can be used so that the students have a good understanding of what is required of them when completing the report.

Gapminder Marking Rubric