60 min Capstone Project Collect → Visualize → Write Gallery Share
Session Phase Overview
Detailed Timing Breakdown
| Time | Phase | What Happens | Instructor Action |
|---|
| 0–8 min | PLAN | Students choose their data question and record it on the planner. Must be answerable by surveying classmates today. | Model a strong question ("How many minutes do you read each day?") vs. a weak one ("Do you like stuff?"). Circulate to approve questions before collecting begins. |
| 8–25 min | COLLECT | Students survey at least 10 classmates, recording tally marks or numbers on their planner. | Keep students moving. Redirect anyone stuck — suggest a simple question they can survey right now. Timer visible. Signal at 20 min to wrap up and return to seats. |
| 25–35 min | ORGANIZE | Students tally and total their data, identify the most and least common responses, calculate range or mean if applicable. | Check totals add up. Prompt: "What's the highest value? Lowest? Is there a pattern?" |
| 35–47 min | VISUALIZE | Students choose and build one chart (bar, line, or dot plot). Add title, axis labels, and scale. | Remind: bar chart for categories, line graph for time, dot plot for spread. Check that Y-axis starts at 0 and has a title. |
| 47–57 min | WRITE | Students write 3–4 sentences: one claim, one evidence sentence, one interpretation, one connection. | Sentence frames on board. Circulate to ensure each sentence references the actual data numbers. |
| 57–60 min | SHARE | Gallery walk or 3-volunteer share-out. Audience gives one compliment using the sentence frame: "I noticed your data shows ___." | Celebrate all efforts. Post work on wall if time permits. |
Sample Strong Student Questions
Numerical Data
- How many hours of sleep did you get last night?
- How many books have you read this month?
- How many minutes do you spend outside each day?
- How many siblings do you have?
Categorical Data
- What is your favorite school subject?
- How do you get to school?
- What is your favorite type of music?
- What is your favorite season?
Avoid These
- Yes/no questions (only 2 data points)
- Questions with too many options (>6)
- Questions requiring memory from weeks ago
- Private or sensitive topics
Data Story Writing Frames — Post on Board
Sentence Frames for the Write Phase
My question was: "___." I surveyed ___ people.
The most common answer was ___, chosen by ___ out of ___ people.
I was surprised that ___ because I expected ___.
My data shows that most people ___, which means ___.
If I could survey more people, I would want to find out ___.
Students need at least 3 sentences. Strong writers can aim for 5 sentences using all frames.
Quick Chart Choice Guide
Choose a Bar Chart When...
- Data has distinct categories (favorite food, transport type)
- You want to compare amounts across groups
- Numbers don't flow over time
Choose a Line Graph When...
- Data changes over time (daily steps, weekly reading)
- You want to show a trend
- X-axis values are ordered numbers
Choose a Dot Plot When...
- Numerical data with a relatively small range
- You want to see clusters and spread
- Each individual value matters
Chart Checklist
- Title that describes the data
- X-axis and Y-axis labeled
- Y-axis starts at 0
- Scale is consistent
- All bars/points are accurate
Neurodiversity & Inclusion Tips — Capstone Day
- Pre-approved question list: For students who feel overwhelmed choosing, offer a printed list of 6–8 pre-approved questions. They circle one and go — removes the blank-page paralysis.
- Structured planner: The five-phase planner on the worksheet provides a scaffold. Students who need more support work through one box at a time and check in with you after each phase.
- Pair option: Allow students who struggle with peer interactions during the collect phase to work with one trusted partner who helps facilitate surveying. They still record their own data.
- Extended time for chart: If a student finishes writing early, they can add color, labels, or a title decoration. If behind, they can present with an incomplete chart and narrate what they intended.
- Gallery walk alternative: Students who are anxious about presenting can display their work silently and answer questions from classmates who visit, rather than presenting to the whole class.
- Sensory consideration: Collect phase can be loud. Give a quiet signal (hand raise) to indicate "I need to survey you" for students who are overwhelmed by shouted questions across the room.
Supplies
Project planner worksheets Rulers Pencils Colored pencils Visible timer Wall space for gallery Whiteboard (sentence frames)