To show students how means and averages are practical assessments used in everyday life, ask them to do a week-long weather project. Each day, ask the students to record the high and low temperatures from the week. At the end of the week, ask the students to figure out what the average high was each week, as well as the average low during the week. This will help them understand the concepts, as well as recognize that means and averages are used in daily life as well.
Another way to introduce students to the concept of means and averages is to ask them to figure out the average length of a foot within the class. Each student should be given a piece of paper, to be cut in a strip the length of their foot. Then, using a ruler, each student should measure the length of the strip of paper. Have each student announce how many inches their foot is, and then together as a class, calculate the average foot size. Explain that some students will fall above or below the average. This will help students realize the role means and averages play in everyday life.
Another practical way for students to learn about means and averages is to give each student a box of raisins. Ask each student to count the number of raisins in the box and then record that number on the board. Together, the class should come up with the average number of raisins that one can expect to find when he purchases a box of raisins. The raisins can become a healthy class snack, as well.
The estimation jar activity is way to have a bit of fun while teaching students about means and averages. Put a jar filled with small candies at the front of the class. Ask each student to guess how many candies are in the jar and put their estimate on a sticky note. After each guess is submitted, count the number of actual candies in the jar. The person who comes closest wins the jar. Then the class must figure out the average number that was guessed.