LESSON 4.2
Determine the “New” Variable

Grading Ideas

You have done a great job! Now test to see which is the best idea.

In Lesson 1.2, you learned you can grade ideas based on how readers’ interests.

A = adult stranger probably does not know this AND is probably interested (+ wow!).

B = adult stranger probably does not know about this.

C = adult stranger probably knows this OR probably is not interested.

Task 4.2.1 – Small Group or Class

Grade your ideas.  You can do that as a class or as a small group.  Do not argue.  For example:

                                               Grade

a fat gerbil                               C

my horse, Flicka                     C                    

palomino pony                        B        

Shetland pony                         B        

Mongolian pony                     A        

calico cat                                 B

catfish                                     C

red cap Oranda goldfish         B                                                                    

American chinchilla rabbit     B                                                        

aye-aye lemur                         A        

German shepherd                   C        

blobfish                                   A        

seeing-eye dog                        C        

Canaan seeing-eye dog           A        

axolotl                                     A

Task 4.2.2 – Small Group

Why did each idea earn the grade that it did?

Task 4.2.3 – Small Group or Class or Small Group

Draw a Decision Tree. Use these criteria:

• Which is most likely to interest adult readers?
• Which most interests you?
• Which has a good amount of research without there being too much information?

You have three criteria, so you will need five columns.
        Column for ideas
        Three columns for the criteria
        Column for the total number of points

You have five A ideas, so you will need six rows.
       Row for heading
       Five rows for ideas