Skew the Script

Estimated Planning Time: 10 -20 minutes to review and print materials. Lessons and student materials are already made!

Estimated Lesson Time: Depending on lesson. Ranges from 1 50 minute class to 4 50 minutes classes.

Skew the Script provides real world data for Statistics. Skew the Script aligns itself to the AP Statistics CED curriculum and popular AP Statistics textbooks. They also incorporate Stats Medic, Desmos, and data projects for the end of the year. Additionally, Skew the Script has resources to help teachers enhance their instruction by including inquiry based learning and strategies for discussing tough topics such as mental health, socio economic issues, and inequities. All lessons are pre-made with the necessary resources built in!

Below are examples of how students engaged with Skew the Script materials in an online discussion forum. Students examine multiple facets of statistics in each lesson.

"What's Going on with this Graph?"

Estimated Planning Time: 20 -30 minutes to review materials and incorporate into your lesson

Estimated Lesson Time: Depending on lesson. 10 - 20 minutes

This New York Times website asks students to critically analyze graphs on a variety of topics. Each graph has a lesson plan with embedded questions and ideas for teaching. The next day, the New York Times posts more information about the graph including where the graphs appeared in their articles. Students are encouraged to submit their answers to questions which could be featured. This resources asks students to write and consider where the data is coming from, how the graphs could be improved, and how they affect their community. On Wednesdays, experts have a live moderated discussion about statistics.

See below for student responses to one of the graphs.

Below is an example of prompts and student responses for using the New York Times graphs.

What do you think is going on in this graph? Write a headline that captures the graph’s main idea. Share your response AND your headline.

Student A

"America's richest gain wealth as the rest of us struggle"

I noticed that the largest disparity between the two started around 2007. After 2007 the richest ten percent stayed above 40%, while everyone else dropped beloved 20%.

Student B

I found that also interesting that the 2008 recession showed up so clearly no the graph.

Service Learning and AP Statistics

Estimated Planning Time: 2+ weeks

Possible Action Steps to Start Service Learning:

Find a community partner your students are interested in
Get any permissions needed for students to work with another organization
Decide with the community what they would like as an end product, what is realistic for your students, and a timeline
Decide how you would like to incorporate this (Will it be a whole unit? Will it be a day each week?)
Build your lessons! When doing this, make sure you give your students clear guidelines on what you and the community partner are looking for.

Seek opportunities for service learning. Statistics is a great way to engage with the community and give students real world experiences. Mosaic is a non-profit aimed at healing communities and ending sexual violence in our community. We partnered with Mosaic to draft and analyze a student survey.