"What's the Temperature Like in..."
Created by Kathryn Gregorich
Wayne State University

ID #: 3956

Subject Area: Mathematics
Grade Level: 7

Lesson Summary
Students will work in small groups to complete this lesson. Using the weather channel website, students will gather and graph temperature data. Students will choose various locations outside of the United States. Students will then graph the data using Microsoft Excel. They will then cut and past the graph into a word document, in which they summarize or analyze their findings.

Learning Objectives and Computer Functions
This lesson plan uses 0 objectives.

Problem
Problem Nature
This lesson will focus on the real world application of mathematics. In particular, interpreting graphs and manipulating data.

Notes on Using Data
Students will be provided with the problem statement, think sheet and access to the internet. Data will be gathered over a 5-10 period (flexible). Students will need access to the internet for a short period of time each day. Since students are working in groups, data collection and entry can be split up. Student one can collect and record on days 1 and 2; student two can collect and record on days 3 and 4. Students will record data in an Excel worksheet. On the last day data is collected, students will create a graph in Excel. This graph will be cut and pasted into a Microsoft Word document. All information and files will be saved on the school server.

Problem Statement
What’s the temperature outside the USA? Imagine that you are looking for a new city to live in outside of the USA. Money is not an issue. Before making a decision, you need to know what the climate is like. You and your group members will have to do a little research before making a decision. Choose a city outside of the USA. Using the weather channel website, www.weatherchannel.com, you will collect and record the daily temperature in your city for 5 -10 days. You will then create a line graph using Excel. After making the graph, you will interpret and present your results in a Word Document. You will need to analyze the temperature for the week. Use the think sheet to get started.

Data Manipulation
Instructions
The learner used computers at level

Integration Strategies
intermediate

Organization Strategies
Students will create a two column spreadsheet. One labeled “date” and the other “temperature in degrees Fahrenheit”. They will collect and record the daily temperature in this spreadsheet.

Elaboration Strategies
Students will create a line graph displaying the collected data. Students will further interpret the graph in 1-2 paragraphs.

Results Presentation
To present their findings, students will create a line graph using Microsoft Excel. Then, students will cut and paste this graph into a Microsoft Word Document. Here, students will explain their graphed results. Students will be provided with a rubric as to how they will be graded. Students will save their work on the school server.

They will also print out a copy to be displayed on a class bulletin board. This way, students can observe and analyze one another’s graphs.

Activities
Activities Before Using the Computer
Prior to data collection, students will brainstorm some thoughts they have about the climate in their chosen cities.