Constructing box plots
I can construct a box plot.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- A box plot requires 5 pieces of information
- These are lowest value, lower quartile, median, upper quartile and highest value
- Outliers should be included in the range for now
- At A level, there are suggested ways to identify outliers and indicate these
Keywords
Box plot - A box plot is a diagram that clearly shows the minimum and maximum value of a data set along with the three quartiles.
Common misconception
Forgetting to order the list of data before finding the 5 key pieces of information.
Ask some pupils to stand at the front of the classroom. Find the person in the middle, and pose the question "is they the median sized person?" Repeat with quartiles. This should highlight the importance of putting the numbers in order first.
To help you plan your year 11 maths lesson on: Constructing box plots, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 11 maths lesson on: Constructing box plots, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 maths lessons from the Graphical representations of data: cumulative frequency and histograms unit, dive into the full secondary maths curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Licence
Starter quiz
6 Questions
Lower quartile -
$$Q_1$$
Median -
$$Q_2$$
Upper quartile -
$$Q_3$$





Exit quiz
6 Questions

A -
Lowest value
B -
Lower quartile
C -
Median
D -
Upper quartile
E -
Highest value



