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CCSS · Statistics & Probability

6.SP.B.5 — Summarize numerical data sets by reporting measures of center and variability.

Cluster: Summarize and describe distributions

What this standard asks students to do

6.SP.B.5 is a 6th grade Common Core standard in the Statistics & Probability strand. It asks students to: summarize numerical data sets by reporting measures of center and variability. Teachers typically address it during the summarize and describe distributions cluster, alongside the related standards listed below. FoxFish generates printable worksheets, auto-graded quizzes, and flashcard sets aligned to this standard in seconds.

Sample questions aligned to 6.SP.B.5

  1. Example 1

    Find the mean of 4, 7, 9, 10, 5.

  2. Example 2

    Find the median of 3, 8, 5, 6, 11, 2.

  3. Example 3

    Find the range of 12, 4, 19, 6, 15.

Want a full worksheet? Generate 20 problems aligned to 6.SP.B.5.

Common student mistakes

Build distractors and reteach prompts around the errors students actually make on this standard.

  • 1Rushing to an answer without showing intermediate steps or citing evidence — 6th-grade students who skip this stage often can't debug their own errors.
  • 2Mis-identifying what the prompt is actually asking. On 6.SP.B.5, teachers see students latch onto surface keywords and pick the wrong operation.
  • 3Applying a memorized procedure to a case where it doesn't fit — the classic statistics & probability trap when problems change form (e.g., Find the mean of 4, 7, 9, 10, 5.).
Teacher tip · Use an error-analysis warm-up: post a wrong-answer solution and have students critique it. 6.SP.B.5 misconceptions surface fast this way.

Teacher FAQ

What does 6.SP.B.5 actually ask 6th-grade students to do?

Students are expected to summarize numerical data sets by reporting measures. In the summarize and describe distributions cluster this shows up when they solve problems and explain their reasoning. Full standard text: "Summarize numerical data sets by reporting measures of center and variability."

How long should we spend on 6.SP.B.5 in a typical unit?

Middle-grade teachers typically spend 1–2 weeks of focused instruction and reassess in mixed-review problem sets. FoxFish's generator lets you spin up fresh practice each day to keep the reps varied.

What does mastery of 6.SP.B.5 look like on a quick check?

A student who's mastered 6.SP.B.5 can summarize numerical data sets by reporting measures on unfamiliar prompts, not just the exact examples they practiced. Try one item like: "Find the range of 12, 4, 19, 6, 15." — if they explain their reasoning without prompting, they're solid.

Teacher guides for 6.SP.B.5

Standards alignment

How to Write a 5th-Grade Math Worksheet Aligned to CCSS 5.NBT.B.7

A teacher's step-by-step plan for building a decimal operations worksheet aligned to Common Core 5.NBT.B.7 — with question types, answer key tips, and a free generator.

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Math worksheets for 6th grade

Generate a worksheet aligned to 6.SP.B.5

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