Canadian Author Survey
Created by S. Lapointe and S. Mackey
Black Gold Regional Schools
January 2006

 

Introduction

 The Government of Canada has sent your school a $1000.00 grant to help promote Canadian authors. The grade five students have been given the task of deciding which books will be ordered. To accomplish this you will need to find out who are the favorite Canadian authors of grade five students. You will use this information to create a presentation to convince the librarian to select your book order.

(In this project students will: collect, display and analyze data to make predictions about a population. C Communication; PS Problem Solving
CN Connections; R Reasoning; E Estimation and T Technology; V Visualization.)

Task

You will make a prediction and then survey students in the class to find out who their favorite authors are. You will graph the results using the "Create a Graph" program.  Your graphs will be used to analyze the data  and to help you select the more popular authors. The "chapters.indigo.ca" website will be used to help find books and place an order for the library. You have a budget of $1000.00. Your order will need to reflect the interests of the grade 5 students. You will present your proposal in the form of a PowerPoint presentation to the school librarian.

 

Process and Resources

 

Step #1

 

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Get a copy of the Author prediction form . Look over the authors and predict which ones you think will be the most popular.

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Circulate around the classroom and complete the  Canadian Author Survey Form

(Math Outcome: Identify a question to generate appropriate data, and predict results. [C, R])
 

Step #2 Graphing Author results

 

Graph the Results of the survey.  Use Create A Graph use this link. Save each graph into your math folder.
Display data by computer in a variety of ways [C, T, V]
Create classifications and ranges for grouping data. [PS, R]

 

Graph the following:
 

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line graph (Results of class survey (top 8) by author) Data Label type: Select % of total.

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pie graph (show percentage and label)

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double bar graph (your prediction versus the actual number; top 8 authors)

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double bar graph (result of survey boys and girls comparison; top 8 authors for each)

See Samples
 

Class Survey

Pie Graph Class

Prediction Comparison Graph

Boys and Girls Comparison

 

Step #3 Analyzing the results

Distinguish between a total population and a sample of that population. [R]
Evaluate the graphic presentation of the data to ensure clear representation of the results. [C, R]

Using a word document insert the graph that displays the answers for the following questions. Answer the questions below the graph:

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Which author was the most popular according to survey results of girls and boys?

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Why do you think this author appeals to both boys and girls?

Now insert each of the other graphs and generate at least 2 questions and answers for each of the graphs.  (one graph per page). (Student Sample)

 

Save the word document as Author Survey. Place your name as a footer. Preview your work, print and hand in for evaluation.

 

    Rubric

 

Step #4 Placing your order (this is a group activity)
8. Make inferences to generate a conclusion about the data. [E, PS]

 

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Work with partner to prepare a book order according to the results of the survey. Using the first graph (class survey results) complete the Book order chart inserting the author, the percentage of votes, and the amount you will spend.

 

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Go to chapters.indigo.ca and select books you think would be of interest for the students in the class.

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Use the Purchase Order form to select the book titles and number of books for each author. Calculate the amount
spent.

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Hand your purchase order forms in for evaluation.
 

Rubric

 

Step #5
Work with your partner to prepare a PowerPoint presentation. Your presentation should include:

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a Title slide

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a slide for each author with the titles you are proposing; the amount of money you are allocating
for each author.

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Graphics of books covers or author

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One of the graphs you have created

 

** Remember to be convincing; The librarian will base her decision on facts as well as the way the information is presented. Do not read your slides.

 

Rubric

 

 

 

Evaluation