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Data Detective Dash!

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Lesson Plan

Data Detective Dash!

Students will design survey questions, practice asking peers, and collect data by circulating the room effectively and respectfully. They will learn to organize and understand simple data.

Understanding how to collect data is a fundamental skill in many subjects and in real life. This lesson helps students practice asking clear questions, listening actively, and moving purposefully to gather information, preparing them for more complex data analysis.

Audience

3rd Grade Students

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Hands-on activity, peer interaction, and structured movement.

Materials

Whiteboard or Chart Paper, Markers, Question Card Template, Data Sheet, and Data Detective Dash Slide Deck

Prep

Prepare Materials

10 minutes

Step 1

Introduction: What's Your Question?

5 minutes

  • Begin by asking students what 'data' is and why we collect it. Use the Data Detective Dash Slide Deck to introduce the concept.
    - Explain that today, they will be 'Data Detectives' and collect data from their classmates.

Step 2

Designing Our Questions

10 minutes

  • Distribute the Question Card Template.
    - Guide students to brainstorm and write one clear, simple question they want to ask their classmates (e.g., 'What's your favorite animal?', 'Do you prefer pizza or tacos?'). Emphasize questions with clear, quantifiable answers.
    - Have students write their question clearly on their question card.

Step 3

Circulation Strategy & Practice

5 minutes

  • Explain how they will circulate the room. Use a visual on the Data Detective Dash Slide Deck to demonstrate a respectful 'interview' process: approach a classmate, ask their question, listen to the answer, record it on the Data Sheet, and then move to another classmate.
    - Emphasize polite language ('May I ask you a question?', 'Thank you for sharing.').
    - Model the circulation with a few students.

Step 4

Data Collection Dash!

8 minutes

  • Distribute the Data Sheet.
    - Instruct students to carefully circulate the room, asking their question to at least 5-7 different classmates and recording their answers.
    - Remind them to be respectful of others' space and to keep their voices at an appropriate level.

Step 5

Wrap-Up & Share

2 minutes

  • Call students back to their seats.
    - Ask a few students to share their question and one interesting piece of data they collected.
    - Briefly discuss how collecting this data helps us learn about our class.
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Slide Deck

Welcome, Data Detectives!

Today, we're going on a quest to discover new things about our classmates!

We'll learn about data and how to collect it.

Welcome students and introduce the exciting role of a 'Data Detective'. Ask what 'data' means to them in simple terms.

What is Data?

Data is information we collect about things.

It helps us answer questions and learn!

  • How many students like cats?
  • What's the most popular snack?
  • How many birthdays are in the summer?

Explain what data is using simple examples. Emphasize that data helps us understand things better. Ask for examples of data they might already know (e.g., how many students like certain colors).

Your Question, Your Data!

To collect data, we need great questions!

Today, you will create one question to ask your classmates.

  • Keep it clear and easy to answer.
  • Think about what you want to learn!

Introduce the idea of survey questions. Explain that good questions help us get good data. Show examples of clear versus unclear questions.

Circulate Like a Pro!

When you're collecting data, you'll circulate the room.

Here's how to be a super data collector:

  1. Politely approach a classmate.
  2. Ask your question clearly (e.g., "May I ask you a question?").
  3. Listen carefully to their answer.
  4. Record their answer on your Data Sheet.
  5. Say thank you!
  6. Move to a new classmate.

Explain the

Respectful Roaming Rules:

  • Walk calmly.
  • Use a quiet voice.
  • Respect personal space.
  • Ask at least 5-7 classmates!

Reinforce respectful movement and interaction. Show a quick visual of students moving around politely.

Time to Be a Data Detective!

Get ready to:

  • Create your question!
  • Collect your data!
  • Discover amazing things!

Let's go, Data Detectives!

Summarize the activity and prepare students for sharing. Remind them that they are now data experts!

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Worksheet

My Data Detective Question Card

Name: ________________________

My Question:

Write one clear and interesting question you want to ask your classmates. Remember to make it easy to answer!












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Worksheet

Data Detective Dash: My Data Sheet

My Question: (Write your question here) _________________________________________________________________

Use this sheet to record the answers from your classmates. Remember to ask at least 5-7 different people!

Classmate's NameAnswer to My Question
1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

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Data Detective Dash! • Lenny Learning