Submitted by: Justin Brittle
School: Holman Middle School
Summary
In this lesson students are presented with a problem from the “Olympic Committee” where they must quickly select a 6-player “Dream Team” from a select pool of collegiate basketball players. Students are given the individual statistics for eight current NCAA rosters. In order to make the best selection, students will calculate percentages and totals to make comparisons and predictions. Students are allowed to pick any six players they would like from the given rosters; however, their selections must be supported with at least two specific, quantifiable, and correct statistical data points. Once their selections have been made they will formulate a written statement (persuasive argument) defending their picks to the selection committee. As a self-reflection, students will track and evaluate their selected players’ performance over a given period of time.
TIPC Ratings
Developing: Students are provided with a data set, but must develop their own questions to guide their selection process. Additionally, they are required to complete the data set by making the necessary calculations. Students also track the performance of their chosen players requiring them to find the information online.
Developing: Students communicate with audiences within the classroom as they are required to work in groups of two to compare statistical measures, make their selections, and complete their written proposal to the “Olympic Committee.”
Target: Students use higher-order thinking skills and engage in an open-ended learning experience as they use technology in the form of an Excel spreadsheet to find statistical measures and solve a “real-world” problem.
Approaching: Students are required to manipulate, evaluate, and analyze a set of data to make predictions about which players would form the best possible team.
Student Artifact
