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How did a crowd weigh an ox?

Algebra 1Statisticsabout 2 minCCSS HSS.ID.A.2CCSS HSS.ID.A.3

Line up 787 guesses at an ox's weight, then ask a crowd of your own.

Lesson Plan

Compare the mean and median of a data set, including the effect of an outlier.

  1. Question: Ask what students spot and what they are curious about. Read “How far off was the middle guess?” aloud. Have each student guess and say why.

  2. Big idea: Pause. Ask a student to say the idea in their own words.

  3. Question: Read “What jumps: average, middle, or both?” aloud. Have partners explain their guesses to each other.

  4. Real-world application: Ask: Where else have you seen this?

  5. Your turn: Have students try their own. Ask them to predict before they test.

How to run it

  1. Whole classPut the lesson on the board. At each choice the class votes, then you select the winner.
  2. SoloShare the link, QR code, or post to Google Classroom. Each student gets to take their own path.