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Grow It 3-5 / Week 08 / Friday
5/6
Week 08 · Traits and Variation

Friday

Line plots of beans
// Why no two bean plants are exactly alike
⏱ about 15 min

Friday: Line Plots of Beans

Rocket has a long list of bean seedling heights. "Numbers, numbers, numbers," he groans. "I cannot see anything!"

Raven grabs a pencil. "What do you notice if we draw them?"

Nova hovers over the paper. "Draw a number line," she says. "Then let each seedling get its own X."

Rocket picks up the pencil. "Okay. Let's plot!"

What is a line plot?

A line plot shows data on a number line.

Each X stands for one thing you measured.

Tall stacks of X marks show the most common numbers.

A line plot helps you see variation all at once.

Practice data

These are made-up practice numbers, not real measurements.

They show the heights of ten bean seedlings, in centimeters.

SeedlingHeight (cm)
18
29
39
410
510
610
711
811
912
1014
  1. Draw a number line from 8 to 14 on paper.
  2. Mark each whole number with a tick.
  3. For each seedling, put an X above its height.
  4. Stack the X marks when two seedlings match.
On paper, draw your line plot of the ten practice seedlings.
The tallest seedling is how many centimeters?
The shortest seedling is how many centimeters?
Which height has the most X marks?
How many centimeters taller is the tallest seedling than the shortest? Type a number.
WHY THIS EXERCISE14 minus 8 is 6, so the heights spread across 6 centimeters.
READ THE PLOT
  • Read the question.
  • Tap your answer.
How many seedlings are 11 centimeters tall?
All ten seedlings came from one seed pack. What does the spread of heights show?
StatementTrue or false?
Each X stands for one seedling.?
All ten practice seedlings are the same height.?
Three seedlings are 10 centimeters tall.?
These numbers are real measurements.?
WHY THIS EXERCISEThe plot shows variation in made-up practice numbers.
Safety first
Today is paper and pencil work. No tools needed.
If you measure your real plant, touch it gently.
Try it
Count how many bean seedlings you have at home.
Get a ruler ready for tomorrow's Grow It Day.

Plotting pro! Tomorrow your family measures real seedlings and makes a line plot together.

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