Wattle’s clue microscope

Year 6 · Student investigation

Can one number tell us what a model is thinking?

Draw, point or explain aloud. A partner or adult may record your words.

Predict before seeing the answer

Will your chosen unit be busiest whenever the answer is red, or will it follow a different pattern?

Two comparisons

What did you change? What stayed the same? What did you notice?

Challenge your first explanation

Find two cards that challenge a simple “this is the red clue” label. Try another unit and distinguish a silent unit from a useful one.

Make and explain

A proposed clue label, two supporting examples and a counterexample.

Limit the claim

This activity can show _ . It cannot tell us _ . A new case I would test is ____ .

Use fictional data. Download or print your work before leaving.