McNeese Math
by Mary Stevens, maxine.stevens@cpsb.org

Content Area(s)
Math

Grade Level(s)
3, 

Overview
In this lesson students will use real world data to construct a bar graph, line graph, and a pie chart. They will also use this data to problem solve using basic mathematical operations.

Software
Calculator; Notepad; a graph program (Excel or Sheet to Go, etc.)

Technology
Handheld; Printer; Desktop computer

Objectives
TLW gather data, record data on a tally chart, track weekly progress of scores, construct a bar graph, line graph, and pie chart of the data; predict and problem solve.

Procedures
To introduce this lesson I will play the McNeese Fight Song - "On McNeese" on the day before the first McNeese football (basketball, baseball) game. Students will predict who will have the better season - the football, basketball, or baseball team. I will record and save their predictions. The students will be given Friday homework - bring the MSU football score from Saturday's game. They must know the name of the opponent and who scored what. Each Monday when I am ready to record the game results, I will play the fight song so the students will know it's time for "McNeese Math". We will discuss the score of the game and the students will work in pairs to make a tally chart of wins and losses in Notepad on the handheld. They will save their chart and add to it weekly. We will make a class line graph on a large poster to show the weekly points that McNeese scores. The students will use the calculator application on the handheld to find the sum and the difference of the scores. We may also use Memo to write the game attendance in standard form, word name, and expanded form. The students can beam me their answers. At the end of the season, students will input total wins and losses in a graphing program. The students will use either the handheld or sync to a desktop and use Excel to make a line graph of weekly points scored and a bar graph and pie chart of wins and losses. At the end of the season we will compare to see what week they scored the most and least number of points and the difference between the scores. We will then collect MSU basketball and baseball scores and do the same. We will compare the different sport's season results to see who had the best season.
*Note -- I downloaded the McNeese fight song from the McNeese State University website.

Other Supporting Material

Submitted on: 8/25/2006 8:55:34 PM