ClassX Video Lessons Skew the Script: These Algebra and Stats Lessons Tackle Hot Topics, Use Real Data
Welcome to the Common Sense Editorial Team! I’m Tanner, and this is Chrissy. Every Tuesday, we explore something we’ve reviewed on commonsense.org/education, where we have thousands of reviews of educational technology for your classroom.
Today, Chrissy is excited to introduce a tool called “Skew the Script.” As a former English teacher, she appreciates innovative math tools that she would have loved as a student. Skew the Script is designed to transform the traditional approach to math by applying math skills to real-life data, making it relevant and engaging for students.
This tool is particularly exciting because it connects math to topics students care about, such as climate change and politics. It also highlights potential career paths in data analysis, making math not only relevant but also applicable to future job opportunities.
Skew the Script primarily focuses on AP Statistics and Algebra, which means its scope is somewhat limited. However, it covers a variety of skills in Algebra 1 and 2, offering diverse learning opportunities. For example, one lesson features a graph with Ronald McDonald and a McRib, posing the fun question: why is the McRib always back?
The lessons are structured with videos that introduce terminology and data, along with student handouts and reflection questions. These videos are engaging and presented by educators who know how to connect with students. While some topics are light-hearted, others are more serious, allowing for cross-curricular connections and deeper research opportunities.
The lessons are both understandable and challenging, encouraging critical thinking. For instance, some lessons address “bad statistics,” which can engage students in media literacy. One lesson even critiques a book often cited to refute human-caused climate change, offering a balanced view and promoting critical analysis.
Best of all, Skew the Script is completely free! It serves as a valuable resource for news literacy, providing context for current events and helping students validate statistics used in the news. The tool also allows exploration of publicly available data sets, opening up endless lesson opportunities.
Additionally, another free site called Data USA pairs well with Skew the Script, and we have a review of it on commonsense.org/education.
That’s it for today! See you next week, and don’t forget to subscribe and like our content!
Use Skew the Script to explore real-life data sets related to topics you care about, such as climate change or politics. Analyze the data and create a presentation to share your findings with the class. This will help you understand how math applies to real-world issues and enhance your data analysis skills.
Work in groups to create a short video presentation that explains a concept from Algebra or Statistics using real-life examples. Use Skew the Script’s engaging video format as inspiration. This activity will improve your communication skills and deepen your understanding of mathematical concepts.
Participate in a class debate on a current event topic, using data from Skew the Script to support your arguments. This will encourage critical thinking and help you learn how to use statistics to back up your points effectively.
Investigate examples of “bad statistics” in media or literature, as discussed in Skew the Script. Write a report critiquing these examples and suggest how they could be improved. This will enhance your media literacy and critical analysis skills.
Research potential career paths in data analysis and present your findings to the class. Use Skew the Script to understand how math skills are applied in various professions. This activity will help you connect classroom learning to future job opportunities.
Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:
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Welcome to the Common Sense Editorial Team! I’m Tanner, and this is Chrissy. Every Tuesday, we discuss something we’ve reviewed over at commonsense.org/education, where we have thousands of reviews of educational technology for your classroom.
Chrissy, you’re going to debut a tool for me today. What is that tool?
I’m really excited about it! As I’ve mentioned before, I was an English teacher, but I get very enthusiastic when I see math tools that I would have loved as a student. The tool I want to show today is called “Skew the Script.” We gave it four stars in our review, and the idea is to change the traditional approach to math. While not all math teachers use the same methods, I think this tool can help shake things up.
What I love about it is that it applies math skills to real-life data, making it relevant to students through topics they care about. Let me show you the site. There are a lot of jobs in this area, too. This tool not only makes math relevant but also applicable to potential careers, like data analysis.
One limitation is that it primarily focuses on AP Statistics and Algebra, so its scope is somewhat limited. However, if we dive into Algebra 1 and 2, we can explore the different skill sets covered in various units.
For example, there’s a graph featuring Ronald McDonald and a McRib. It’s a fun and relevant question: why is the McRib always back? This tool allows for a light-hearted approach while also covering serious topics like climate change and politics.
The lessons are structured with videos that introduce terminology and data, along with student handouts and reflection questions. The videos are straightforward and engaging, presented by educators who clearly understand how to connect with students.
While some topics are light-hearted, others are more serious, allowing for cross-curricular connections and deeper research opportunities. However, the entry level for the lessons is pretty high, so I recommend previewing the material and considering what preparation your students might need.
I found the lessons to be understandable yet challenging, encouraging critical thinking. For instance, some lessons address “bad statistics,” which can engage high school students in media literacy.
One lesson dives into climate change data and critiques a book often cited to refute human-caused climate change, presenting a balanced view. There are many directions you can take with this tool, depending on your students’ levels and the topics you want to address.
And yes, it’s completely free! This site is a goldmine for news literacy, providing context for current events and allowing students to validate statistics used in the news.
You can also explore publicly available data sets, which opens up endless lesson opportunities. Another free site called Data USA pairs well with this tool, and we have a review of it on commonsense.org/education.
That’s it for today! See you next week, and don’t forget to subscribe and like our content!
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This version removes informal language and any potentially inappropriate or unclear references while maintaining the core message.
Math – The abstract science of number, quantity, and space, either as abstract concepts or as applied to other disciplines such as physics and engineering. – In Grade 11, students often explore advanced math topics like calculus and trigonometry to prepare for college-level courses.
Data – Facts and statistics collected together for reference or analysis. – In statistics class, we learned how to organize and interpret data to draw meaningful conclusions.
Statistics – The practice or science of collecting and analyzing numerical data in large quantities. – Understanding statistics is crucial for analyzing trends and making predictions based on data sets.
Algebra – A branch of mathematics dealing with symbols and the rules for manipulating those symbols. – Solving algebraic equations helps develop critical thinking skills by requiring students to find unknown values.
Critical – Involving skillful judgment as to truth, merit, etc.; involving the objective analysis and evaluation of an issue in order to form a judgment. – Critical thinking in mathematics involves evaluating different methods to solve a problem and choosing the most efficient one.
Thinking – The process of considering or reasoning about something. – Mathematical thinking involves logical reasoning and the ability to solve problems systematically.
Analysis – A detailed examination of the elements or structure of something. – In calculus, students perform analysis of functions to understand their behavior and properties.
Learning – The acquisition of knowledge or skills through study, experience, or being taught. – Learning new mathematical concepts requires practice and the application of critical thinking skills.
Opportunities – Situations or conditions favorable for attainment of a goal. – Participating in math competitions provides students with opportunities to apply their skills in challenging scenarios.
Literacy – The ability to read and write, or competence or knowledge in a specified area. – Mathematical literacy is essential for understanding and interpreting data in everyday life.
