lesson_plan
lesson_plan
Objective:
1. Correctly define the Pearson's sample correlation coefficient.
2. Correctly identify the properties of Pearson's sample correlation coefficient.
3. Properly interpret the Pearson's sample correlation coefficient.
Elicit:
Teaching Strategy: Think-Pair-Share
Instructional Materials: None required
Anecdote 1: Imagine a local market where the price of mangoes rises significantly
during the summer. Everyone notices that as the price goes up, fewer people buy
them. This scenario can help us think about how two variables can be related, just
like how we will analyze correlation in statistics.
Anecdote 2: Last Christmas, our family hosted a reunion. The more decorations we
put up, the more guests we seemed to attract. This makes us wonder if there's a
correlation between the number of decorations and the number of visitors.
Engage:
Teaching Strategy: Interactive Learning
Instructional Materials: A large chart or whiteboard
Energizer 1: Correlation Scavenger Hunt - Students will pair up and find objects in
the classroom that they think might have a correlation (e.g., length of a pencil vs. its
weight). They will present their findings on the chart.
Energizer 2: Human Graph - Students will represent data by standing in a line
according to their heights, and then the teacher can ask them to arrange themselves
based on their shoe sizes. This will visually demonstrate correlation without needing
any materials.
Explore:
Activities
Activity 1: Correlation Research Project
Teaching Strategy: Project-Based Learning
Materials: Graph paper, rulers, calculators
Significance: Students will collect data from a survey about their daily activities and
analyze the correlation between time spent on different activities (e.g., studying vs.
gaming).
Instructions:
1. Conduct a survey among classmates about hours spent on studying and gaming.
2. Compile the data into a table.
3. Create a scatter plot to visualize the correlation.
Rubrics:
- Data Collection: 15 pts.
- Scatter Plot: 15 pts.
- Analysis and Interpretation: 20 pts.
Assessment Questions:
1. What method did you use to collect your data?
2. Describe the correlation you observed in your scatter plot.
3. How might this correlation impact your daily life?
Activity 2: Correlation in Real Life
Teaching Strategy: Inquiry-Based Learning
Materials: None required
Significance: Students will think critically about real-world scenarios where
correlation is evident.
Instructions:
1. In small groups, discuss examples of correlation in everyday life.
2. Choose one example and prepare a short presentation.
3. Present your findings to the class.
Rubrics:
- Group Discussion: 15 pts.
- Presentation Clarity: 15 pts.
- Relevance of Example: 20 pts.
Assessment Questions:
1. What example of correlation did your group choose?
2. How did you determine that a correlation exists?
3. Why is understanding correlation important in real life?
Explain:
Activity 1 - The Pearson's sample correlation coefficient measures the strength and
direction of a linear relationship between two variables. It ranges from -1 to 1, where
-1 indicates a perfect negative correlation, 0 indicates no correlation, and 1 indicates
a perfect positive correlation. Understanding this helps students analyze data trends
effectively.
Activity 2 - Properties of the coefficient include linearity, symmetry, and sensitivity to
outliers. These properties help students recognize how data can behave and the
importance of proper data collection and analysis methods.
Activity 3 - Interpretation of the coefficient requires understanding the context of the
data and recognizing that correlation does not imply causation. This distinction is
crucial for making informed decisions based on statistical data.
Elaborate:
Teaching Strategy: Problem-Based Learning
1. Task: Students will identify a social issue in their community (e.g., education level
vs. income) and gather data to analyze the correlation between the two variables.
2. Task: Students will create a report detailing their findings and suggest potential
solutions based on their analysis.
Discussion: Students will present their reports to the class, discussing how
correlation can inform policy changes or community initiatives.
Evaluate:
Teaching Strategy: Formative Assessment
Questions:
1. What does a Pearson's correlation coefficient of 0.8 indicate about the relationship
between two variables?
2. How can outliers affect the interpretation of the correlation coefficient?
3. Why is it important to understand that correlation does not imply causation?
Questions:
1. How would you explain the relationship between correlation and regression to
someone unfamiliar with statistics?
2. If two variables have a strong positive correlation, what predictions can you make
about their future relationship?
3. Can you think of a real-world scenario where a correlation might mislead
someone?
Answers:
1. Correlation indicates the strength and direction of a relationship, while regression
allows us to predict one variable based on another, showing a deeper analytical
connection.
2. A strong positive correlation suggests that as one variable increases, the other
likely does as well; however, this must be assessed within context.
3. An example could be a correlation between ice cream sales and drowning
incidents, which could mislead someone into thinking one causes the other without
considering external factors like warm weather.
Extend:
Teaching Strategy: Project-Based Learning
Instructional Materials: Access to the internet
Usecase 1: Students can analyze social media trends to see how the amount of
time spent online correlates with academic performance. They can create a
presentation on their findings and suggest strategies for balance.
Usecase 2: Students can explore the correlation between exercise frequency and
overall health by conducting interviews with family members. They can report their
findings and suggest health improvement strategies based on their analysis.
Assignment:
1. Research and write a short essay on a correlation you observe in your daily life,
providing data to support your claims. Present your findings in the next class.