Students are asked to compare information presented in two circle graphs. This multiple-choice question is a sample item used in the 2005 Ohio Grade 8 Achievement Test (see Overview of Ohio's Assessment System). The URL link (above) takes the user directly to the test item (PDF), with access to performance data, complexity level of the item, and discussion of incorrect responses. This OAT item is also available in Microsoft® Word. The Ohio Department of Education Instructional Management System website allows visitors to search for test items by subject and grade band and build a printable database of questions using the Add to Your Backpack function. ODE Reference Information: 2005 Ohio Grade 8 Achievement Test for Mathematics, Annotated Item 13. (author/sw)

Students are asked to make a prediction based on data in a scatter plot. This short-answer question is a sample item used in the 2008 Ohio Grade 8 Achievement Test (see Overview of Ohio's Assessment System). The URL link (above) takes the user directly to the test item (PDF), with access to performance data, complexity level of the item, a complete solution of the problem, and a scoring rubric. This OAT item is also available in Microsoft® Word. The Ohio Department of Education Instructional Management System website allows visitors to search for test items by subject and grade band and build a printable database of questions using the Add to Your Backpack function. ODE Reference Information: 2008 Ohio Grade 8 Achievement Test for Mathematics, Annotated Item 6. (author/sw)

Student groups assume the role of advertising agencies. Each agency has been hired by their client to make a recommendation as to the best radio station to air their advertisement. The class decides that data collected from a survey could provide them with the information needed to make a decision. The class reaches a consensus on the content and design of the survey. They conduct the survey by interviewing students, teachers, friends, and neighbors. Students then work in cooperative groups, where each member accepts a specified role. Through both large and small group interaction, the students organize and graphically represent their data. Finally, based on the trends on the scattergrams, students prepare to make sound recommendations to their clients. In addition to the lesson plan, the site includes ideas for teacher discussion, extensions of the lesson, and additional resources. The lesson plan is accompanied by video clips illustrating lesson procedures. The user should first locate the We're All Tuned In lesson and then access the appropriate video clips at the PBS TeacherSource website. The video player necessary to view the video clips can be downloaded for free from the site. (author/sw)

This activity has students look for functions within a given set of data. After analyzing the pattern of the data, students should be able to determine a type of function that best represents the data. Students then have the opportunity to generate their own data in a number of different problem situations and, using graphing calculators, to find the curves of best fit. Student activity sheets are included, along with interactive Internet extensions. This lesson plan first appeared in the September 1993 issue of Mathematics Teacher. (author/sw)

How many of the numbers in a set of data have a leading digit of 1 and how many have a final digit of 1? An extension of the problem and a complete discussion of the underlying mathematical ideas are included. This mathematically rich problem was originally developed for the Project Discovery Mathematics by Inquiry institutes for middle grades teachers taught in 1992 - 1994 at Ohio State University. Project Discovery was co-funded by the Ohio Board of Regents and the Statewide Systemic Initiative (SSI) program of the National Science Foundation. (author/sw)