Lesson 16

In this lesson, students use the five-number summary to construct a new type of data display: a box plot. Similar to their first encounter with the median, students are introduced to the structure of a box plot through a kinesthetic activity. Using the class data set that contains the numbers of letters in their names (from an earlier lesson), they first identify the numbers that make up the five-number summary. Then, they use their numbers to position themselves on a number line on the ground, and are guided through how a box plot would be constructed with them as the data points. 

Later, students draw and make sense of the structure of a box plot on paper (MP7). They notice that, unlike the dot plot, it is not possible to know all the data points from a box plot. They understand that the box plot summarizes a data set by showing the range of the data, where the middle half of the data set is located, and how the values are divided into quarters by the quartiles.

For the Human Box Plot activity:

• Each student will need the index card that shows their name and the number of letters in their name (used for the Finding the Middle activity), as well as a class data set. 
• Compile the numbers on the cards into a single list or table. Prepare one copy of the data set for each student.
• Have some extra index cards available for students who might have been absent in that earlier lesson. 
• Prepare five index cards that are labeled with "minimum," "maximum," "Q1," "Q2," and "Q3."
• Make a number line on the ground using thin masking tape (0.5 inch). It should show whole number intervals and span at least from the lowest data value to the highest. The intervals should be at least a student's shoulder's width.
• Prepare a roll of wide masking tape (2- or 3-inch wide) to create a box and two whiskers on the ground.