Variation in Data

Variation in Data Worksheet (Grade 6 Science, TEKS 6.2B)

Show grade 6 students that two data sets can share the same mean and still look very different. This one-page reading and activity sheet uses two groups of bean plants to teach low and high variation.

What's Inside

• A short reading on variation, with a bean plant table where both groups have the same mean but different ranges
• Activity 1: Students compare three pairs of real-world data sets and circle the one with more variation
• Activity 2: Four true or false sentences about variation, range, and mean
• A visual answer key with answers marked in red

How Teachers Use It

Use it after teaching mean and range, before students analyze their own lab data, or as practice for TEKS 6.2B. All the data students need is on the page. The sheet takes about 10 minutes and prints clearly in black and white.

This worksheet is part of the Reading in Science series for grade 6. It supports TEKS 6.2B: analyze data by identifying any significant descriptive statistical features, patterns, sources of error, or limitations. Pair it with the other 6.2B sheets to build a short unit on data analysis.

Why It Works

Each sheet teaches the key terms in plain words first, then asks students to use only what the page taught. Activities stay at the circle, sort, match, and fill-in level, so students build confidence while the answer key lets teachers check work fast. The clean layout is also easy to project for a whole-class review.