Day 1 Facilitation Guide Data Detectives
Day 1 Facilitation Guide • 25 Minutes
Target RIT Growth
171–180 → 181–190
Objective
Students will identify and select the best statistical question to answer a specific data-driven goal, moving from basic data extraction to survey planning.
Key Vocabulary
Data: Information collected.
Survey: Asking people questions.
Statistical Question: Expects variety.
Materials Needed
Day 1 Evidence Cards (1-4)
Day 1 Practice Worksheet
Day 1 Exit Ticket
Pacing
Warm Up 3m
Direct Inst. 5m
Guided Prac. 7m
Ind. Work 5m
Exit Ticket 5m
1. WARM UP & HOOK (3 MIN)
Hold up Day 1 Evidence Card 01: Recess Game Chart.
SAY "Welcome, Data Detectives! Usually, we look at a finished tally chart and just count. Today, we're going to learn how to start by asking the perfect question."
SAY "Look at Card 1. If I want to know how many kids like Soccer, where do I look? Right, count the tallies! How many are there? (Wait: 12). Easy Level 1 skill!"
2. THE SHIFT (5 MIN)
Hold up Day 1 Evidence Card 02: The Mission.
SAY "Imagine there is NO chart yet. We have a goal: find out what game kids like best. If we ask 'Do you like games?', will we know to buy a soccer ball? No! That's too broad."
Hold up Day 1 Evidence Card 03: The Question Test.
SAY "A detective question must be 'Just Right.' If our goal is to pick a cookie to bake, don't ask 'What is your favorite dessert?' because someone might say ice cream! We can't bake ice cream. We ask: 'What is your favorite cookie?'"
3. GUIDED PRACTICE (7 MIN)
Place Day 1 Evidence Card 04 on the table.
SAY "Ms. Reed needs to buy new books: mystery, sports, or graphic novels. Look at our choices. Why is 'B' better than 'A' or 'C'? (Wait for student thoughts)."
Target Student Answer:
"Because B specifically asks about the books she's trying to buy!"
Day 1 Practice Worksheet Investigation Practice
Day 1: Charting the Questions
Detective Name:
Date:
01
Case of the Classroom Snack
Goal: Pick a class fruit. Tally results below:
Fruit Choice Votes (Tallies) Apples Bananas Grapes
Detective Notes
1. How many students voted for BANANAS?
8
12
15
18
2. Ms. Lopez needs to know what type of apple (Green or Red) students like. Which question is best?
A. Do you like to eat healthy snacks?
B. Would you rather have a Green apple or a Red apple?
C. How many pieces of fruit did you eat today?
02
Case of the Game Night
Favorite games results:
Game Votes Monopoly 14 Uno 19 Chess 6
Clue Notes
3. Which game received the LEAST number of votes?
Monopoly
Uno
Chess
4. Detectives want to know which night (Fri, Sat, or Sun) is best. Which question is best?
A. Can you play on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday?
B. What is your favorite board game?
C. Do you like playing board games?
Case Files: Day 1 Investigation Completed
Day 1 Exit Ticket Exit Ticket: Day 1
RIT 171-190 Checkpoint
Detective: ______________________
Date: _______________________
Pet Survey Results
<table class="w-full text-xs border-collapse bg-white shadow-sm border border-slate-300"><tbody><tr class="border-b border-slate-200"><td class="p-2 font-bold italic">Dogs</td><td class="p-2 font-mono tracking-[0.25em] text-blue-600 font-bold">|||| \ ||</td></tr><tr class="border-b border-slate-200"><td class="p-2 font-bold italic">Cats</td><td class="p-2 font-mono tracking-[0.25em] text-blue-600 font-bold">|||| \</td></tr><tr><td class="p-2 font-bold italic">Fish</td><td class="p-2 font-mono tracking-[0.25em] text-blue-600 font-bold">|||</td></tr></tbody></table>
1 How many students chose Dogs?
5 7 10
2 Which question is best for buying fish?
A. Do you like to have fish?
B. Would you rather have a Goldfish or a Betta?
Exit Ticket: Day 1
RIT 171-190 Checkpoint
Detective: ______________________
Date: _______________________
Pet Survey Results
<table class="w-full text-xs border-collapse bg-white shadow-sm border border-slate-300"><tbody><tr class="border-b border-slate-200"><td class="p-2 font-bold italic">Dogs</td><td class="p-2 font-mono tracking-[0.25em] text-blue-600 font-bold">|||| \ ||</td></tr><tr class="border-b border-slate-200"><td class="p-2 font-bold italic">Cats</td><td class="p-2 font-mono tracking-[0.25em] text-blue-600 font-bold">|||| \</td></tr><tr><td class="p-2 font-bold italic">Fish</td><td class="p-2 font-mono tracking-[0.25em] text-blue-600 font-bold">|||</td></tr></tbody></table>
1 How many students chose Dogs?
5 7 10
2 Which question is best for buying fish?
A. Do you like to have fish?
B. Would you rather have a Goldfish or a Betta?
Day 1 Answer Key Answer Key
Data Detectives • Day 1
Day 1 Practice Worksheet
Case 01: Classroom Snack
1. How many Bananas? 8
2. Best question for apple types? B ("Would you rather have Green or Red?")
Case 02: Game Night
3. Least votes? Chess (Only 6 votes)
4. Best question for day of week? A ("Can you play on Fri, Sat, or Sun?")
Day 1 Exit Ticket
Q1: How many Dogs?
7
Q2: Best question for fish?
B
Rationale: Offers specific type choices aligned to the goal.
Day 1 Evidence Cards Day 1: Evidence Card 01
Favorite Recess Games
Game Votes (Tally Marks) Tag ~ Soccer ~ Kickball ~
Goal: How many students voted for Soccer?
Day 1: Evidence Card 02
MISSION: Find out which game kids like best.
The Old Way (RIT 171-180)
"How many tallies are in the Soccer row?"
The New Way (RIT 181-190)
"What question should I ask to find out which game kids like best?"
Day 1: Evidence Card 03
Too Broad
"Do you like things?"
Doesn't help pick a specific cookie!
Too Narrow
"Is it Friday?"
Doesn't help plan our snack!
Just Right
"What is your favorite cookie?"
Helps the baker decide!
Day 1: Evidence Card 04
GOAL: Ms. Reed needs to know if she should buy mystery, sports, or graphic novels.
Which question is BEST?
A Do you have a library card?
B Do you prefer mystery, sports, or graphic novels?
C What time does the library close?
Day 2 Facilitation Guide The Variety Vault
Day 2 Facilitation Guide • 25 Minutes
Theme: Statistical Questions
Cracking the Variety Code
Objective
Students will differentiate between statistical and non-statistical questions by identifying which questions expect a variety of answers.
Key Vocabulary
Variety: Different kinds of answers.
Statistical Question: Expects many answers.
Materials Needed
Day 2 Sorting Cards
Day 2 Practice Worksheet
Day 2 Exit Ticket
Pacing
Recall 3m
Direct Inst. 5m
Sorting Card Game 7m
Practice 5m
Exit Ticket 5m
1. RECALL & HOOK (3 MIN)
SAY "Detectives, yesterday we learned that a good survey question is 'Just Right.' Today, we are opening the Variety Vault. To crack the code, we need Variety. That means we want a question that will give us many different answers."
2. STATISTICAL VS. BORED (5 MIN)
SAY "If I ask you: 'What color is my shirt today?'—how many different answers will I get? (Wait: Just one). That’s not statistical. It's a fact. But if I ask: 'What is your favorite color?'—will I get the same answer from everyone? (Wait: No). That is a Statistical Question because it results in data with variety."
3. SORTING CARDS (7 MIN)
Spread the Day 2 Sorting Cards on the table.
SAY "I have a stack of questions. Some are 'Fact Questions' (only one answer) and some are 'Statistical Questions' (variety of answers). Let’s sort them to find the keys to the vault!"
Sorting Guidance:
"How many legs does a dog have?" → FACT (No Variety)
"What is your favorite animal?" → STATISTICAL (Variety!)
Day 2 Sorting Cards Day 2: Sorting Mission
Fact Questions vs. Statistical Questions
Cut the cards below. Sort them into two piles: Questions with ONLY 1 answer and Questions with MANY answers (Variety).
Day 2 Clue #01
"How many wheels are on a bicycle?"
Day 2 Clue #02
"How many pets do students in our class have?"
Day 2 Clue #03
"What state do we live in?"
Day 2 Clue #04
"Which pizza topping is the class favorite?"
Day 2 Clue #05
"What is the first month of the year?"
Day 2 Clue #06
"How many minutes do you read each night?"
Day 2 Practice Worksheet The Variety Check
Day 2: Analyzing Statistical Questions
Agent Name:
Date:
01
Case of the Mystery Data
Analyze the results below:
Group A Results
<table class="w-full text-xs font-bold border-collapse"><tbody><tr class="border-b"><td>Blue</td><td class="tracking-[0.25em] font-mono text-blue-600">|||| \ |||| \</td></tr><tr class="border-b"><td>Red</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Yellow</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>
Group B Results
<table class="w-full text-xs font-bold border-collapse"><tbody><tr class="border-b"><td>Blue</td><td class="tracking-[0.25em] font-mono text-blue-600">|||</td></tr><tr class="border-b"><td>Red</td><td class="tracking-[0.25em] font-mono text-blue-600">|||| \</td></tr><tr><td>Yellow</td><td class="tracking-[0.25em] font-mono text-blue-600">||</td></tr></tbody></table>
Work Area
1. How many total people were surveyed in Group B?
5 10 15
2. Which group's data came from a Statistical Question (one with variety)?
Group A
Group B
02
Forge the Keys
3. A detective wants to know about how many brothers and sisters kids have. Which question will result in variety?
A. Do you have a sister?
B. How many siblings do you have?
C. Is your sister older than you?
4. Write a statistical question you could ask about favorite ice cream flavors.
Variety Vault Access: Day 2 investigation
Day 2 Exit Ticket Exit Ticket: Day 2
Variety Checkpoint
Agent: ______________________
Date: _______________________
Books Read This Week
<table class="w-full text-xs border-collapse bg-white shadow-sm"><tbody><tr class="border-b border-slate-200"><td class="p-2 font-bold italic">1 book</td><td class="p-2 font-mono tracking-widest text-blue-600">||</td></tr><tr class="border-b border-slate-200"><td class="p-2 font-bold italic">2 books</td><td class="p-2 font-mono tracking-widest text-blue-600 font-black">|||||</td></tr><tr><td class="p-2 font-bold italic">3+ books</td><td class="p-2 font-mono tracking-widest text-blue-600">|||</td></tr></tbody></table>
(Variety Found!)
1 How many students read exactly 2 books?
2 5 10
2 Which question was used to get this variety?
A. Do you like books?
B. How many books did you read?
Exit Ticket: Day 2
Variety Checkpoint
Agent: ______________________
Date: _______________________
Books Read This Week
<table class="w-full text-xs border-collapse bg-white shadow-sm"><tbody><tr class="border-b border-slate-200"><td class="p-2 font-bold italic">1 book</td><td class="p-2 font-mono tracking-widest text-blue-600">||</td></tr><tr class="border-b border-slate-200"><td class="p-2 font-bold italic">2 books</td><td class="p-2 font-mono tracking-widest text-blue-600 font-black">|||||</td></tr><tr><td class="p-2 font-bold italic">3+ books</td><td class="p-2 font-mono tracking-widest text-blue-600">|||</td></tr></tbody></table>
(Variety Found!)
1 How many students read exactly 2 books?
2 5 10
2 Which question was used to get this variety?
A. Do you like books?
B. How many books did you read?
Day 2 Answer Key Answer Key
The Variety Vault • Day 2
Day 2 Practice Worksheet
Case 01: Mystery Data
1. Total Group B? 10 (3 + 5 + 2 = 10)
2. Statistical Group? Group B (Has a variety of answers, not just 1)
Part 2: Forge the Keys
3. Sibling Question? B ("How many siblings do you have?")
4. Ice Cream Question?
Accept: "What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?" or "Should we get vanilla, chocolate, or mint?"
Day 2 Exit Ticket
Q1: How many read 2 books?
5
Q2: Question for variety?
B
Rationale: Results in variety of number answers.
Day 3 Facilitation Guide Case Reopened
Day 3 Facilitation Guide • 25 Minutes
Theme: Evaluation
Fixing the Cold Cases
Objective
Students will evaluate the effectiveness of survey questions by identifying "broken" questions and rewriting them to match specific data goals.
Key Vocabulary
Broken: Question doesn't match goal.
Evaluation: Judging if data is useful.
Materials Needed
Day 3 Evidence Cards
Day 3 Practice Worksheet
Day 3 Exit Ticket
Pacing
Recall 3m
Direct Inst. 5m
Cold Case Files 7m
Ind. Work 5m
Exit Ticket 5m
1. RECALL & HOOK (3 MIN)
SAY "Detectives, today is our final mission. We've learned to pick and write questions. But sometimes, a survey goes wrong. We call these 'Cold Cases'—where the question doesn't solve the problem."
2. THE BROKEN SURVEY (5 MIN)
SAY "If I want to know what color paint to buy for the classroom, but I ask: 'Do you like to paint?'—did I get the data I need? (Wait: No). The survey is broken. We need to fix the alignment between the goal and the question."
3. COLD CASE FILES (7 MIN)
Spread Day 3 Evidence Cards 1-4 on the table.
SAY "Look at Evidence Card 1. The goal was to pick a movie. But look at the question. Is it statistical? (Wait: No). Does it help pick a movie? (Wait: No). Write your expert analysis in the box on the card!"
Day 3 Evidence Cards Day 3: Cold Case #01
Goal:
Pick a movie for movie night.
The Question:
"Do you like popcorn?"
Why is it broken?
Day 3: Cold Case #02
Goal:
Pick a class t-shirt color.
The Question:
"Do you wear clothes?"
Why is it broken?
Day 3: Cold Case #03
Goal:
Choose a favorite school sport.
The Question:
"Is football better than math?"
Why is it broken?
Day 3: Cold Case #04
Goal:
Find out what time kids sleep.
The Question:
"Do you like to sleep?"
Why is it broken?
Day 3 Practice Worksheet Senior Investigation
Day 3: Repairing Data
Agent:
Date:
1
Case 01: The Juice Goal
GOAL: Pick a juice flavor.
Question: "Do you like juice?"
1. Total students surveyed?
14 16 18
2. Which question is better?
A. What time do you drink juice?
B. Which: Apple, Orange, or Grape?
2
Case 02: Recess Repair
MISSION: Learn what sport everyone wants to play.
Question: "Is soccer fun?"
Broken Reason?
Only asks 1 sport. No choices. It is too long to read.
Rewrite Better Question:
Day 3 Investigation Completed
Day 3 Exit Ticket Exit Ticket: Day 3
Agency Graduation
Senior Detective: ______________________
Date: _______________________
Mission: Pick a field trip.
Question Asked: "What time is it?"
<table class="w-full text-xs border-collapse bg-white shadow-sm"><tbody><tr class="border border-slate-200"><td class="p-2 font-bold italic">8:00 AM</td><td class="p-2 text-center font-mono tracking-widest text-blue-600">|||</td></tr><tr class="border border-slate-200"><td class="p-2 font-bold italic">9:00 AM</td><td class="p-2 text-center font-mono tracking-widest text-blue-600">|||||</td></tr></tbody></table>
1 Why does this survey fail the mission?
It doesn't ask about a destination. It is too long to read.
2 Rewrite a better question to solve the mission.
Exit Ticket: Day 3
Agency Graduation
Senior Detective: ______________________
Date: _______________________
Mission: Pick a field trip.
Question Asked: "What time is it?"
<table class="w-full text-xs border-collapse bg-white shadow-sm"><tbody><tr class="border border-slate-200"><td class="p-2 font-bold italic">8:00 AM</td><td class="p-2 text-center font-mono tracking-widest text-blue-600">|||</td></tr><tr class="border border-slate-200"><td class="p-2 font-bold italic">9:00 AM</td><td class="p-2 text-center font-mono tracking-widest text-blue-600">|||||</td></tr></tbody></table>
1 Why does this survey fail the mission?
It doesn't ask about a destination. It is too long to read.
2 Rewrite a better question to solve the mission.
Day 3 Answer Key Answer Key
Case Reopened • Day 3
Day 3 Practice Worksheet
Case 01: Wrong Choice
1. Total answers? 16 (14 Yes + 2 No)
2. Better question? B ("Which juice do you prefer: Apple, Orange, or Grape?")
Part 2: Repair the Cold Case
Reason for Glitch: It only asks about 1 sport and doesn't offer choices.
Repair Question Acceptable answers:
"What is your favorite sport to play at recess?" or "Do you want to play tag, soccer, or kickball?"
Day 3 Exit Ticket
Q1: Why does it fail?
"It doesn't ask about a destination."
Q2: Better question for field trip?
"What is your favorite place for a field trip?" or "Should we go to the zoo or the museum?"
