Mean Absolute Deviation (MAD) Video Activity | Data & Statistics

Looking for an exciting way to round out your 6th grade statistics unit with coverage of measure of spread or mean absolute deviation?

Your students will play the role of a special agent at the FBI trying to ward off an impending extraterrestrial invasion. You'll play a video to set the stage, and then your students will solve 18 mean and mean absolute deviation problems. Each solution unlocks part of the secret message about the invasion. Play the answer reveal video at the end to finish class in an exciting way.

It's print-and-go and the included videos make it effortless — great for end of unit review, independent practice, group work, or even an emergency sub plan!

What's included?

This codebreaker product is a compressed zip file that contains two videos and a 12-page PDF document. Simply download, unzip, and open up the folder with all the files!

Here's the full list of contents:

• Video #1: Hook/Introduction to the Mission

• Video #2: Answer Reveal

• Post video discussion (1 page)

• Instruction Sheet (1 page)

• Message + Problem Sheets (5 pages)

• Answer Key (5 pages)

How can I use it?

Here's one way you could use it in your classroom:

1. Play the introductory video. Our animated video sets the stage, introducing students to their role of cracking the code to complete the mission.

2. Work alone or together. Students solve 18 problems, and get immediate feedback. Students match their solutions with symbols in an answer bank. If students can't find a symbol, that's a nudge to redo the problem.

3. Check the answers. You can play the answer reveal video or just walk through the answers with students, or pass out a copy of the included answer key for students to check!