MATHEMATICS(SURVEYS)  

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RUNNING SURVEYS

CURRICULUM

Mathematics/Graphing/Number/Statistics

Links to: Social Studies,English

Levels 3-5

BACKGROUND NOTES

A survey is a sample of the target population … in this case the class members and/or school population.
To ensure that pupils get the most from conduction surveys, spend some time making sure that …they are clear about the purpose of the survey and know what they want the information for and they must be clear about how they will use and interpret the information once it is gained.

Have pupils estimate (guess the following information about their classmates …

  • their favourite food
  • favourite colour
  • hours spent reading each week
  • hours spent watching television each week
  • the number of people in their family
  • the number of and type of pets they have at home
  • where they were born.

Now divide the topics up between groups and have them survey the class to find out the correct answers.After the survey is complete, have pupils suggest ways of presenting their answers in visual and/or written form, eg they could write a sentence or they could draw a picture

Suggest that they could present the information in one or many of the following formatsa table of information

  • a line graph
  • a pictogram
  • a bar graph
  • a pie graph.

(This is an ideal time to revise and update graphing skills)Have each group now prepare and present their survey information in graphic form. As a class, discuss the results and and eveluate the methods used. Was one particular method of presenting the data more suitable than any other? See bar graph and table examples below.

New Zealander's Favourite Leisure Activities 1990 Bar Graph.

Male
Female

Reading Television Visiting Friends Gardening

Maori/Non Maori Population Since 1858 – Table of Information

COLLECTING INFORMATION

  1. Ask the pupils why they think you collect records on all the children in the class in reading and mathemetics.
  2. Are there any records that the pupils keep themselves for their own information, eg family members birthdays?
  3. Why do they think the Government collects information about people in New Zealand? What types of information do they think a government would find useful and why? eg knowing the numbers of children born and their ages helps in the planning of new schools and training of new teachers.
  4. Introduce the idea of a census - the survey run by the government every four years - this enables us to plan better for the future.

CONDUCTING A FOOD SURVEY


The Scenario: Each group wants to start a new restaurant or fast food outlet in the local district.?Brainstorm and list the information that would be essential and/or useful to find out before they even contemplated opening the restaurant - eg

  • How often do people eat out?
  • What are their favourite foods?
  • How often do they get fast foods?
  • How many people live in the local area
  • How much are they prepared to pay for a dinner out at a restaurant?
  • What existing competition is there in the local area? Would it support another restaurant?
  • Is there a particular theme or food type that is popular but not represented in the local district?

After completing a survey, have groups write a brief report on the viability of opening a restaurant. Use graphs and data sheets to back up their conclusions.