Summary Investigations Resources - Ӱֱ /topic/summary-investigations/ Thu, 21 May 2026 18:40:56 +0000 en-US hourly 1 Workshop – Using CODAP to develop statistical concepts – median and box plots /resource/workshop-using-codap-median-and-box-plots/ Thu, 21 May 2026 06:17:18 +0000 /?post_type=resource&p=14847 This is a workshop plan. It is designed for someone to use to lead PLD within a school setting, e.g., for a staff or department meeting. The workshop is aimed at teachers of year 7-10 students. In this workshop participants use CODAP (Common Online Data Analysis Platform) to develop ideas for two statistical concepts. The […]

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This is a workshop plan. It is designed for someone to use to lead PLD within a school setting, e.g., for a staff or department meeting. The workshop is aimed at teachers of year 7-10 students.

In this workshop participants use CODAP (Common Online Data Analysis Platform) to develop ideas for two statistical concepts. The median and box plots.

This activity explores the following key ideas:

  • Finding the middle of a dataset and connecting this to the median.
  • Finding the middle 50% of a dataset, describing this.
  • Using the middle 50% and median to build a box plot.
  • Recognising the quarters within the box plot.

Resources

CODAP

Related teaching and learning activities on CensusAtSchool

  • – Finding the middle

Related teaching and learning activities on Tāhūrangi

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Workshop – Using CensusAtSchool data cards /resource/workshop-using-censusatschool-data-cards/ Thu, 21 May 2026 02:35:55 +0000 /?post_type=resource&p=14842 This is a workshop plan. It is designed for someone to use to lead PLD within a school setting, e.g., for a staff or syndicate meeting. The workshop is aimed at teachers of year 1-6 students. In this workshop participants get to engage in the PPDAC cycle as they explore teaching the statistics strand of […]

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This is a workshop plan. It is designed for someone to use to lead PLD within a school setting, e.g., for a staff or syndicate meeting. The workshop is aimed at teachers of year 1-6 students.

In this workshop participants get to engage in the PPDAC cycle as they explore teaching the statistics strand of the NZC. The workshop uses the data cards based on the 2025/2026 CensusAtSchool questionnaire. Links to previous data cards based on the 2023/2024 questionnaire are also given.

If planning to use the workshop in the future, it could be adapted to suit the current CensusAtSchool data cards. Check under the Data tab and find the Data Cards link.

This activity explores the following key ideas:

  • Working with secondary data
  • Interrogating the dataset
  • Making data visualisations to answer the investigative question
  • Describing data visualisations
  • Answering the investigative question

Resources

Workshop materials

Teaching and learning activities on CensusAtSchool using the data cards

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Y9 It’s all about us! – Summary investigations teaching sequence /resource/y9-its-all-about-us/ Sun, 31 Aug 2025 23:30:51 +0000 /?post_type=resource&p=14470 This is a suggested teaching sequence (12 lessons) covering summary investigations. It could be combined with a series of lessons on relationship investigations (e.g., 6 lessons) for year 9 statistics. The teaching sequence has a focus on the students collecting data about themselves. The materials were developed in conjunction with and trialled by Auckland Girls’ […]

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This is a suggested teaching sequence (12 lessons) covering summary investigations. It could be combined with a series of lessons on relationship investigations (e.g., 6 lessons) for year 9 statistics. The teaching sequence has a focus on the students collecting data about themselves.

The materials were developed in conjunction with and trialled by Auckland Girls’ Grammar School, Lynfield College, and Northcote College mathematics and statistics departments.

The summary investigation lessons are based on students undertaking a statistical enquiry to find out about the class or year level. Lessons 1, 2, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11 broadly follow a statistical enquiry using the PPDAC cycle; this is noted in each lesson. Lessons 3, 4, 7, and 8 are concept development lessons, timed to allow for data collection and data entry across a year level cohort for the statistical enquiry.

Summary Investigation Lessons

1.

  • Finding out about what a census is
  • Brainstorming ideas for topics to investigate about us

PROBLEM

2.

  • Thinking about what to measure
  • Thinking about how to measure
  • Questionnaire development

PLAN

3.

  • Developing the concept of how to describe distributional shape

ANALYSIS (CONCEPT DEV)

4.

  • Making conjectures or assertions about what we expect to find
  • Describing features of data visualisations

ANALYSIS (CONCEPT DEV)

5.

  • Making measures

DATA

6.

  • Completing the CensusAtSchool online questionnaire
  • Completing school based questionnaire
  • Introduction to using CODAP

DATA [& ANALYSIS]

7.

  • Roller coasters dataset
  • Mammals dataset

PPDAC (FAMILIARISATION WITH CODAP)

8.

  • Developing the idea of the middle and the middle 50%

ANALYSIS (CONCEPT DEV)

9.

  • Posing investigative questions
  • Making conjectures or assertions about what we expect to find
  • Making data visualisations to answer our investigative questions

PROBLEM & ANALYSIS

10.

  • Features of distributions
  • Answering the investigative question

ANALYSIS

11.

  • Answering the investigative question
  • Communicating findings

CONCLUSION

12.

STATISTICAL LITERACY

This teaching sequence covers the following statistical concepts:

    1. investigate multivariate data situations for observational studies by

      1. exploring areas of interest (Lesson 1)
      2. posing summary investigative questions (Lesson 7, 9)
      3. make conjectures or assertions about expected findings (Lesson 4, 7, 9)
    2. plan how to collect or source data to answer investigative questions, including

      1. identifying the variables needed to answer the investigative question (Lesson 2)
      2. planning how to make valid and reliable measures for the variables (when collecting) or finding out how they were collected (when sourcing) (Lesson 2, 7)
      3. identifying the group of interest or who the data was collected from (Lesson 2, 7, 9)
      4. using a set of interrogative questions that check the different ethical practices that should be considered through the entire statistical enquiry cycle, including checking data collection and survey questions before testing with peers (Lesson 2)
    3. collect or source data including (Lesson 6)
      1. making decisions about the validity of data and making simple edits (cleaning data) if appropriate (Lesson 5)
      2. creating a data dictionary (collected data) or finding the metadata (sourced data) (Lesson 2, 5, 7)
    4. create, describe and reason from data visualisations to support answering the investigative question, including
      1. using multiple visualisations to provide global and local views of the data (Lesson 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10)
      2. identifying relevant features in distributions (Lesson 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10) interweaving the context in the description of the distribution
    5. communicate findings, using evidence from analysis, provide possible explanations for findings, reflect on conjectures or assertions, and evaluate the approach for the different phases of the statistical enquiry (Lesson 11)
    6. examine the data-collection methods and findings of others’ statistical investigations to see if their claims are reasonable, and critically consider data visualisations to see if they support or misrepresent the data (Lesson 12)

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Data cards for CensusAtSchool 2025-2026 /resource/data-cards-2025-2026/ Mon, 25 Aug 2025 08:56:40 +0000 /?post_type=resource&p=14421 What are Data Cards? Data cards are a way of storing data about a person, object or non-physical entity. When using data cards each individual data card represents one person, object or non-physical entity. Data information for each person, object or non-physical entity is recorded in the same way to make future analysis more straightforward. […]

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What are Data Cards?

Data cards are a way of storing data about a person, object or non-physical entity. When using data cards each individual data card represents one person, object or non-physical entity. Data information for each person, object or non-physical entity is recorded in the same way to make future analysis more straightforward. Information from data cards can also be recorded into a spreadsheet for analysis to be made using statistical software.

Data cards can provide secondary data, as many of the examples given here show. They can also be used for collecting data, CensusAtSchool data collection information usually has a data card for students to record their measurements on. The data card shown here is from the 2025-2026 CensusAtSchool questionnaire primary teachers guide page 5.

Year 1-3 Data Cards

Three sets of data cards with 7 or 8 variables. The 25 “students/children” are from the CensusAtSchool 2023 database. They are a random selection of year 3-6 students/children from across Aotearoa New Zealand, and the same students/children are used in the three sets of data cards.

Download Set A

Variables included:

  • Gender
  • Hair colour
  • Eye colour
  • Favourite colour
  • Number of languages spoken
  • Has a pet
  • Number of pets

Download Set B

Variables included:

  • Gender
  • Hair colour
  • Eye colour
  • Favourite colour
  • Handedness
  • Favourite food
  • Can play a musical instrument
  • Bed time

Download Set C

Variables included:

  • Gender
  • Hair colour
  • Eye colour
  • Favourite colour
  • Mode of transport to school
  • Left foot length
  • Right foot length

Teaching and learning activities associated with the year 1-3 data cards are .

Year 4-6 data cards

The year have 14 variables. The 74 “students/children” are from the CensusAtSchool 2025-2026 database. They are a random selection of year 4-6 students/children from across Aotearoa New Zealand.

Sample Data Card - Year 4-6

Variables included:

  • Height
  • Gender
  • Hair colour
  • Eye colour
  • Languages spoken
  • Favourite colour
  • Year level
  • Plays a musical instrument
  • Has pets
  • Has broken a bone
  • Travel method to school
  • Time taken to get to school
  • Left foot length
  • Right foot length

Teaching and learning activities associated with the year 4-6 data cards are .

Year 7-8 data cards – to come

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Discussing the Data: Health Attitudes to Being Online and Alcohol Use /resource/discussing-the-data-health-attitudes-to-being-online-and-alcohol-use/ Tue, 16 Jul 2024 00:55:11 +0000 /?post_type=resource&p=13770 The post Discussing the Data: Health Attitudes to Being Online and Alcohol Use appeared first on Ӱֱ.

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Y5 What do Year 5 students do at lunch time? – PPDAC cycle /resource/y5-what-do-year-5-students-do-at-lunch-time-ppdac-cycle/ Mon, 08 Jul 2024 04:15:57 +0000 /?post_type=resource&p=13637 In this activity, students explore what their peers like to do at lunch time. They are involved in all stages of the statistical enquiry cycle, from posing the investigative question, through planning for and collecting data, to analysis and answering the investigative question. This activity explores the following key ideas: Explore summary (and comparison) situations […]

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In this activity, students explore what their peers like to do at lunch time. They are involved in all stages of the statistical enquiry cycle, from posing the investigative question, through planning for and collecting data, to analysis and answering the investigative question.

This activity explores the following key ideas:

  • Explore summary (and comparison) situations
  • Plan how to collect primary data
  • Create and describe data visualisations for summary (and comparison) investigations, for example using a frequency table, bar graph, dot plot
  • Answering investigative questions

Resources

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S Y5 Scooter or Skateboard – PPDAC cycle /resource/y5-scooter-or-skateboard-ppdac-cycle/ Tue, 02 Jul 2024 05:01:39 +0000 /?post_type=resource&p=13217 In this activity students will investigate the ways they get to school and the time it takes to get there. They are involved in all stages of the statistical enquiry cycle, from posing the investigative question, through planning for and collecting data, to analysis and answering the investigative question. This activity explores the following key […]

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In this activity students will investigate the ways they get to school and the time it takes to get there. They are involved in all stages of the statistical enquiry cycle, from posing the investigative question, through planning for and collecting data, to analysis and answering the investigative question.

This activity explores the following key ideas:

  • Explore summary and comparison situations with discrete numerical data
  • Plan how to collect primary data
  • Create and describe data visualisations for summary and comparison investigations, for example frequency table, bar graph

Resources

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S Y3 Leave Your Lunchbox Litter – PPDAC cycle /resource/y3-leave-your-lunchbox-litter-ppdac-cycle/ Tue, 02 Jul 2024 01:48:39 +0000 /?post_type=resource&p=13203 By following the PPDAC cycle ākonga will have an opportunity to look at the actions taken on a daily basis, collecting data to support their ideas and impact in a positive way at school. This activity explores the following key ideas: pose summary investigative questions about everyday situations anticipate what the data might show identify […]

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By following the PPDAC cycle ākonga will have an opportunity to look at the actions taken on a daily basis, collecting data to support their ideas and impact in a positive way at school.

This activity explores the following key ideas:

  • pose summary investigative questions about everyday situations
  • anticipate what the data might show
  • identify who and what the data measures
  • discuss how the data-gathering process might affect other people
  • collect, record, and sort data
  • create and describe data visualisations
  • choose statements that best answer the investigative question, reflect on findings, and compare them with anticipated outcomes

Resources

 

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S Y3 Survey Your Environment – PPDAC cycle /resource/y3-survey-your-environment-ppdac-cycle/ Tue, 02 Jul 2024 00:32:14 +0000 /?post_type=resource&p=13194 These lessons explore one way for ākonga to explore practical ways to answer an investigative question and begin to understand how the PPDAC cycle works. They will see the link between Citizen Science data collection and how this can be used to make generalisations that give us information about our world to help us make […]

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These lessons explore one way for ākonga to explore practical ways to answer an investigative question and begin to understand how the PPDAC cycle works. They will see the link between Citizen Science data collection and how this can be used to make generalisations that give us information about our world to help us make decisions.

This activity explores the following key ideas:

  • pose summary investigative questions about everyday situations
  • anticipate what the data might show
  • identify who and what the data measures
  • discuss how the data-gathering process might affect other people
  • collect, record, and sort data
  • create and describe data visualisations
  • choose statements that best answer the investigative question, reflect on findings, and compare them with anticipated outcomes

Resources

 

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S Y3 Pineapple on Pizza – PPDAC cycle /resource/s-y3-pineapple-on-pizza-ppdac-cycle/ Mon, 24 Jun 2024 23:40:57 +0000 /?post_type=resource&p=13158 Two statistical enquiry cycles aimed at Year 3 ākonga. Ākonga explore classroom preferences around pineapple on pizza. Ākonga then explore secondary data using the 2023 CensusAtSchool Year 1-3 data cards. This activity explores the following key ideas: pose summary investigative questions about everyday situations, using categorical data anticipate which outcomes might be more frequent than […]

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Two statistical enquiry cycles aimed at Year 3 ākonga. Ākonga explore classroom preferences around pineapple on pizza. Ākonga then explore secondary data using the 2023 CensusAtSchool Year 1-3 data cards.

This activity explores the following key ideas:

  • pose summary investigative questions about everyday situations, using categorical data
  • anticipate which outcomes might be more frequent than others
  • use survey questions to collect data from others
  • discuss how the data-gathering process might affect other people
  • collect, record, and sort data or use secondary data sources
  • create data visualisations, eg picture graphs, dot plots, and bar graphs using provided grids
  • describe data visualisations for categorical data
  • answer an investigative question by choosing statements from findings

Resources

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