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Examples
A softball team is measuring their hat size. Each player measures the distance around their head to the nearest half inch. The data is collected and represented on a line plot.Clarifications
Clarification 1: Denominators are limited to 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16 and 100.Benchmark Instructional Guide
Connecting Benchmarks/Horizontal Alignment
Terms from the K-12 Glossary
- Line Plot
- Stem-and-Leaf Plot
Vertical Alignment
Previous Benchmarks
Next Benchmarks
Purpose and Instructional Strategies
The purpose of this benchmark is to collect authentic data and display the data using the appropriate format. This concept builds on collecting and displaying whole number data using line plots, bar graphs, and tables in grade 3 (MA.3.DP.1.1). Student data in grade 4 will be displayed using stem-and-leaf plots, in addition to other methods. In grade 5, fractional and decimal data will be included (MA.5.DP.1.1).- A stem-and-leaf plot displays numerical data and use place value to display data frequencies. In a stem-and-leaf-plot, a number is decomposed so that leaves represent the smallest part of a number (e.g., ones, fraction less than 1) and the stem consists of all its other place values (e.g., hundreds, tens, ones in fractions greater than 1). Stem-and- leaf plots help students build line plots. Stem-and-leaf plots can help students identify benchmarks for their number lines when creating a line plot.
- During instruction connections should be made between how data is represented on stem-and-leaf and line plots. Stem-and-leaf plots can help students identify benchmarks for their number lines when creating a line plot.
- A stem-and-leaf plot organizes data by size (e.g., least to greatest or greatest to least) and identifies the mode of a data set as the stem with the greatest number of leaves. It can be used to find the median and range of the data set.
- Measurement data can be gathered (including measuring with precision to the nearest inch) and displayed on tables, line plots, and stem and leaf plots. The data is the same for each of the displays below.
- Instruction of line plots should first focus on creating appropriate number lines that allow a data set to be displayed.
Common Misconceptions or Errors
- For line plots, students may misread a number line and have difficulty because they use whole-number names when counting fractional parts on a number line instead of the fraction name. Students also count the tick marks on the number line to determine the fraction, rather than looking at the “distance” or “space” between the marks.
- For stem-and-leaf plots, students may read they key incorrectly. Some students may try to represent numerical data in a stem-and-leaf plot without first arranging the leaves for each stem in order.
Strategies to Support Tiered Instruction
- Instruction includes opportunities to read number lines with fraction values and opportunities for students to use concrete models and drawing of number lines to connect their learning with fraction understanding.
- For example, students plot fourths on the number line, paying particular attention to what each tick mark and the “distance” between each tick mark represents.
- For example, utilizing fraction strips or tiles, students connect fractional parts to the measurement on a number line.
- Instruction includes representing numerical data in a stem and leaf plot and ordering the data from least to greatest. The stem will be the greatest place value of the largest number in the set. With a set of mixed numbers, the stems will be the whole numbers.
- For example, create a stem and leaf plot using the data set shown.
Data set: 6, 8, 11, 20, 24
- Instruction includes representing numerical data in a stem-and-leaf plot and writing the data set on index cards or sticky notes.
- Example:
- After organizing the data set in order from least to greatest, the students rip each number, separating the place values and place them on the graphic organizer. The greater place value will be the stem, the tens place for this example. The lesser place value will be the leaf, the ones place in this example. Since the stems will only be labeled once, the numbers with the same place value will be stacked on top of each other. Each of the leaves will be represented, even if repeated. Numbers with 0 in the tens place will be represented by a 0 for the stem.
Instructional Tasks
Instructional Task 1 (MTR.2.1)
Measure the length of 10 used pencils in the class to the nearest inch. Create a stem-and-leaf plot and a line plot to represent the lengths of all ten pencils.
Instructional Items
Instructional Item 1
Laura was given the data in the chart below.
- a. 3
- b. 4
- c. 8
- d. 12
*The strategies, tasks and items included in the B1G-M are examples and should not be considered comprehensive.
Related Courses
Related Access Points
Related Resources
Formative Assessments
Lesson Plans
Original Student Tutorials
Perspectives Video: Teaching Idea
Teaching Idea
Virtual Manipulative
STEM Lessons - Model Eliciting Activity
Fourth graders will help Cookies and Treats find cost-effective and eco-friendly packaging for its cookies. Students will organize data and compare prices using decimal notation in order to develop a procedure for choosing packaging for cookies. Students will use multiplication and division of whole numbers to plan for how many packages to order.
Model Eliciting Activities, MEAs, are open-ended, interdisciplinary problem-solving activities that are meant to reveal students’ thinking about the concepts embedded in realistic situations. Click here to learn more about MEAs and how they can transform your classroom.
MFAS Formative Assessments
Students are asked to use a given set of data to create a line plot with an appropriate scale.
Students are asked to use a given set of data to create a line plot with an appropriate scale.
Students are asked to use a given set of data to create a line plot with an appropriate scale.
Students are asked to use a given set of data to create a line plot with an appropriate scale.
Original Student Tutorials Mathematics - Grades K-5
Join us as Breanna learns to use a line plot to examine measurement data she needs to create bracelets for her friends, in this interactive tutorial.
Learn how to create a line plot and analyze data in the line plot in this interactive tutorial. You will also see how to add and subtract using the line plot to solve problems based on the line plots.
Student Resources
Original Student Tutorials
Join us as Breanna learns to use a line plot to examine measurement data she needs to create bracelets for her friends, in this interactive tutorial.
Type: Original Student Tutorial
Learn how to create a line plot and analyze data in the line plot in this interactive tutorial. You will also see how to add and subtract using the line plot to solve problems based on the line plots.
Type: Original Student Tutorial
