Classroom Idea Sheet

Ample Samples

Get a statistical snapshot of a population using simplified versions of the random, systematic, and stratified sampling techniques commonly used by researchers around the world!

Standards alignment

Common Standards — cross-referenced to the Common Core State Standards, the Next Generation Science Standards and the California Content Standards.
StandardFrameworkGradeSubjectDomain
Science and Engineering Practices: 1. Asking Questions and Defining Problems 2. Developing and Using Models 3. Planning and Carrying Out Investigations 4. Analyzing and Interpreting Data 5. Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking 6. Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions 7. Engaging in Argument from Evidence 8. Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating InformationNext Generation Science StandardsMiddle SchoolScience and Engineering Practices
Develop Understanding Of Statistical VariabilityCommon Core MathematicsGrade 6Statistics And Probability
Mathematical Practices: 1. Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them. 2. Reason abstractly and quantitatively. 3. Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others. 4. Model with mathematics. 5. Use appropriate tools strategically. 6. Attend to precision. 7. Look for and make use of structure. 8. Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning.Common Core MathematicsGrade 6Mathematical Practices
6.RP.1. Understand the concept of a ratio and use ratio language to describe a ratio relationship between two quantities. For example, “”The ratio of wings to beaks in the bird house at the zoo was 2:1, because for every 2 wings there was 1 beak.”” “”For every vote candidate A received, candidate C received nearly three votes.”Common Core MathematicsGrade 6Ratios And Proportional RelationshipsUnderstand Ratio Concepts And Use Ratio Reasoning To Solve Problems
Mathematical Practices: 1. Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them. 2. Reason abstractly and quantitatively. 3. Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others. 4. Model with mathematics. 5. Use appropriate tools strategically. 6. Attend to precision. 7. Look for and make use of structure. 8. Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning.Common Core MathematicsGrade 7Mathematical Practices
7.RP.1. Compute unit rates associated with ratios of fractions, including ratios of lengths, areas and other quantities measured in like or different units. For example, if a person walks 1/2 mile in each 1/4 hour, compute the unit rate as the complex fraction 1/2/1/4 miles per hour, equivalently 2 miles per hour.Common Core MathematicsGrade 7Ratios And Proportional RelationshipsAnalyze Proportional Relationships And Use Them To Solve Real-World And Mathematical Problems
7.RP.2. Recognize and represent proportional relationships between quantities.Common Core MathematicsGrade 7Ratios And Proportional RelationshipsAnalyze Proportional Relationships And Use Them To Solve Real-World And Mathematical Problems
7.SP.1. Understand that statistics can be used to gain information about a population by examining a sample of the population; generalizations about a population from a sample are valid only if the sample is representative of that population. Understand that random sampling tends to produce representative samples and support valid inferences.Common Core MathematicsGrade 7Statistics And ProbabilityUse Random Sampling To Draw Inferences About A Population
7.SP.2. Use data from a random sample to draw inferences about a population with an unknown characteristic of interest. Generate multiple samples (or simulated samples) of the same size to gauge the variation in estimates or predictions. For example, estimate the mean word length in a book by randomly sampling words from the book; predict the winner of a school election based on randomly sampled survey data. Gauge how far off the estimate or prediction might be.Common Core MathematicsGrade 7Statistics And ProbabilityUse Random Sampling To Draw Inferences About A Population
7.SP.4. Use measures of center and measures of variability for numerical data from random samples to draw informal comparative inferences about two populations. For example, decide whether the words in a chapter of a seventh-grade science book are generally longer than the words in a chapter of a fourth-grade science book.Common Core MathematicsGrade 7Statistics And ProbabilityDraw Informal Comparative Inferences About Two Populations
Mathematical Practices: 1. Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them. 2. Reason abstractly and quantitatively. 3. Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others. 4. Model with mathematics. 5. Use appropriate tools strategically. 6. Attend to precision. 7. Look for and make use of structure. 8. Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning.Common Core MathematicsGrade 8Mathematical Practices
8.SP.4. Understand that patterns of association can also be seen in bivariate categorical data by displaying frequencies and relative frequencies in a two-way table. Construct and interpret a two-way table summarizing data on two categorical variables collected from the same subjects. Use relative frequencies calculated for rows or columns to describe possible association between the two variables. For example, collect data from students in your class on whether or not they have a curfew on school nights and whether or not they have assigned chores at home. Is there evidence that those who have a curfew also tend to have chores?Common Core MathematicsGrade 8Statistics And ProbabilityInvestigate Patterns Of Association In Bivariate Data
Mathematical Practices: 1. Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them. 2. Reason abstractly and quantitatively. 3. Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others. 4. Model with mathematics. 5. Use appropriate tools strategically. 6. Attend to precision. 7. Look for and make use of structure. 8. Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning.Common Core MathematicsHigh SchoolMathematical Practices
Science and Engineering Practices: 1. Asking Questions and Defining Problems 2. Developing and Using Models 3. Planning and Carrying Out Investigations 4. Analyzing and Interpreting Data 5. Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking 6. Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions 7. Engaging in Argument from Evidence 8. Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating InformationNext Generation Science StandardsHigh SchoolScience and Engineering Practices
HS.S.CP.4. Construct and interpret two-way frequency tables of data when two categories are associated with each object being classified. Use the two-way table as a sample space to decide if events are independent and to approximate conditional probabilities. For example, collect data from a random sample of students in your school on their favorite subject among math, science, and English. Estimate the probability that a randomly selected student from your school will favor science given that the student is in tenth grade. Do the same for other subjects and compare the results.Common Core MathematicsHigh SchoolConditional Probability And The Rules Of ProbabilityUnderstand Independence And Conditional Probability And Use Them To Interpret Data
California Standards — cross-referenced to the Common Core State Standards, the Next Generation Science Standards and the California Content Standards.
StandardFrameworkGradeSubjectDomain
1.2 Interpret and use ratios in different contexts (e.g., batting averages, miles per hour) to show the relative sizes of two quantities, using appropriate notations (a/b, a to b, a:b).CA MathematicsGrade 601. Number Sense1.0 Students compare and order positive and negative fractions, decimals, and mixed numbers. Students solve problems involving fractions, ratios, proportions, and percentages.
2.2 Identify different ways of selecting a sample (e.g., convenience sampling, respond to a survey, random sampling) and which method makes a sample more representative for a population.CA MathematicsGrade 604. Statistics, Data Analysis, and Probability2.0 Students use data samples of a population and describe the characteristics and limitations of the samples.
7. Scientific progress is made by asking meaningful questions and conducting careful investigations. As a basis for understanding this concept and addressing the content in the other three strands, students should develop their own questions and perform investigations. Students will:CA ScienceGrade 607. Investigation and Experimentation
7. Scientific progress is made by asking meaningful questions & conducting careful investigations. As a basis for understanding this concept, and to address the content of the other strands, students will develop questions & perform investigations.CA ScienceGrade 707. Investigation and Experimentation
9. Investigation and ExperimentationCA ScienceGrade 801. Physical Sciences
1. Scientific progress is made by asking meaningful questions & conducting careful investigations. As a basis for understanding this concept, & to address the content of the other strands, students should develop questions & perform investigations.CA ScienceGrade 9-1205. Investigation and Experimentation

About this sheet

Grades covered

Grade 6 – Grade 12

Curriculum topics

Sampling Methods, Populations

Sheet number

640