Jeremy Combs EDUC 6607 Mini Assessment Plan

Level: 8th Grade Math

Standard: SP1: Construct and interpret scatterplots for bivariate measurement data to
investigate patterns of association between two quantities. Describe patterns such as
clustering, outliers, positive or negative association, linear association, and nonlinear
association.
Pre-assessment: To introduce this topic, and to gauge how well students remember
how to construct and interpret a scatterplot from 6 th grade, I do a “Whodunit?” activity. I
tell them a story about a crime that has taken place and that we have 4 potential
suspects in custody. Students are given the heights of each suspect and there are
shoe impressions of the perpetrator around the room. Finally, since we know there is a
strong correlation between a person’s height and shoe size, students are given a data
set featuring a list of heights and shoe sizes of random people. Students create their
own scatterplot, line of best fit, and answer some basic interpretation questions about
what they have created. Then, they measure the shoe impression and use the
information in their scatterplot to identify the correct suspect as the criminal. The
activity is concluded with a class discussion. During the activity, I circulate the room
listening and observing to get a base line of where students are with scatterplots. I also
use the feedback I receive from the class discussion.
Throughout Learning: As stated in one of my forum posts this week, I believe that
formative assessments are constantly occurring. There is 1 graded formative, which is
a quiz where students must construct and interpret various scatterplots, but there are
many nongraded formatives as well. I include scatterplots in warm-up activities, we
have class discussions during the lesson, and there are various homework assignments
that are nongraded, over scatterplots. In each instance, I am assessing where students
are in the learning process and providing that feedback to them. The last opportunity
students have for feedback prior to the summative exam is on a “practice test” or study
guide. We have a class discussion over the study guide and any last-minute questions
are answered.
Post-assessment: There are multiple other standards over statistics in the unit. Once
all the material is covered, students take a summative exam that covers all of the
material from the unit.