⏱ 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)