Theme: Embracing Positive ChangeSubject: English AGrade: 11RLesson Duration: one hourDate: February 8, 2017Focus Strand: WritingTopic: Statistical ReportSub-topic: Trend

Prior LearningThe students have already learned how to write an eye-witness report and they understand the nature and purpose of the statistical report. The know the various ways in which data may be presented such as pie chart, histogram, bar graph, line graph, pictogram, and table of figures.

ResourcesCharts showing various statistics, sample statistical report, video clip showing trend of athlete’s performance, and realia (including bottles of water, a novel, a newspaper, sneakers, vegetables, pastry and fruit)

Attainment TargetStudents should develop a better understanding of how to describe trend in a statistical report.

BenchmarksBy the end of the lesson students should be able to

1. Explain the concept, trend, as used in statistical reports2. Identify the four major categories of trend3. Work cooperatively to use the most suitable and accurate terms to describe trend.

EngagementIn their pre-arranged groups, the students will discuss with each other the most common new- year’s resolution among them. After agreeing on this a representative from each group will collect from the table the realia item(s) which best represents this resolution. The members of the group will then draw a line graph which they think represents its progress over the first five weeks of the year. The scribe from each group will then draw their line on a common line graph for the entire class. The entire class will then examine this graph and classify the ways in which their decisions to change have progressed so far. They may say things such as “the efforts at reading more regularly have been consistently good; the efforts at exercising have been declining; the efforts at eating more nutritiously have been going up and down; and the efforts at resting well have been more and more effective.”

ExplorationThe students will then do a “Data Detectives Expedition” moving around the room in their respective groups examining various charts depicting different data presentations and jotting down how the developments compare with their own line graph. These charts will show the four main categories of trend: increase, decrease, fluctuation, and stability. One of them (the pie chart) will not show trend,

however, since only one factor will be depicted. The class will be asked to say which chart does not depict trend and why.

After this the detectives will return to their seats and engage in conversations in their groups with a view to clarifying certain key concepts regarding the statistical report.

ExplanationThe students will then view a video clip about an individual who made an effort to adopt positive behaviours over a period of time. They will comment on the various stages the person went through. Each group will then write and present their explanations of the following:

1. What is trend as it relates to statistical reports? (Trend refers to development over a period of time.)

2. What are the four main categories of trend? (increase, decrease, fluctuation, and stability)3. Identify at least 15 words or phrases to describe these trends. (sharp, dramatic, erratic,

relatively, steep, miniscule, insignificant, significant, steady, rapid, outstanding, remarkable, minimal, substantial, negligible, massive)

4. Identify at least 5 real life contexts in which statistical reports are used. (banking sector, police crime statistics, education, health sector, sports, tourism)

Extension/ElaborationThe students will read and discuss a sample statistical report and then write 10 – 12 sentences describing the trend of efforts by various groups of people to adopt positive behaviours.

EvaluationThe students and teacher will engage in formative assessment throughout the lesson based on the following:

1. How clear and accurate the explanations of trend are2. The extent to which they can analyze data and identify trend3. How well they are able to collaborate in their small groups4. Their ability to write sentences describing trend.