Word Power

Designed by: Helen Bradley, Horrell Hill Elementary

1) CORE CURRICULUM OBJECTIVE(S):  Identify and calculate the range, mode, median, and mean of a set of data from the real world with/without manipulatives.  (5SP1-5)    Use data from the real world to predict, compare and contrast the effects of different measures of central tendency.  (5PS1-6)   Model and explain addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division using whole numbers with/without manipulatives.  (5NA1-1)

GRADE LEVEL: Five      SUBJECT(S): Math

2) OVERVIEW: Students find and write as many three to seven letter words (teacher's choice) as possible in 5-10 minutes. The students use the point value of letters displayed by the teacher. They write the point value above each letter and add points for each word. After determining the value of each word, students choose the 10 highest valued words and determine the mean, median, and mode. The student with the greatest mean wins the game.

3) FOCUS/ESSENTIAL QUESTION(S): How do you calculate mean, mode, and median of a set of data? How do you use real world data to predict, compare, and contrast the effects of different measures of tendency?

4) TIME FRAME: One fifty minute class session

5) RESOURCES/MATERIALS: Houghton Mifflin Math, Boston: 1995, pp.339-340. 344 Laidlaw Brothers Math, USA: 1987, pp.184-187 CSMP IGI: P6, N9, N29

6) CULMINATING ASSESSMENT: The game record sheets will be collected and at least 5 words would be written to match a point value with the following criteria for grades:

A= 5 words at 93-100% accurate point value acc'd to chart.

B= 5 words at 85-92% accurate point value acc'd to chart.

C= 5 words at 75-84% accurate point value acc'd to chart.

D= 5 words at 70-74% accurate point value acc'd to chart.

F= 5 words at 69%-below accurate point value acc'd to chart.

Letter Point Value Chart Examples

A E I O U = 1

41551 = 16

PIZZA L M N R S T =  2

B C D F G = 3

51215 = 13

XEROX H J K P Y = 4

Q V W X Z = 5

41444 = 17 HAPPY

7) INSTRUCTIONAL ACTIVITIES: After reviewing addition and division of whole numbers and learning to calculate mean, median, and mode of numbers in math, the teacher will display a chart of point values of letters and explain the activity.

Groups will find and write as many 5-letter words as possible leaving at least one space between each word in 5 to 10 minutes.

Using the chart of letter value and add these numbers together to determine the total value of each word.

Students will choose their 10 highest point value words and determine the mode, mean and median. In collaborative pairs students will compare and contrast their words, as well as check each other's work. Pairs will then report their findings to the class.

The students tell their mean and those with the highest mean tell their words. The teacher writes these on the board, and with the class's help determines the mean, median, mode. The student with the highest mean wins the game.

The teacher can change the game by asking for 4 letter to 8 letter words. This is a great sponge or early morning activity.