The Outlier Coloring Page

About this page

Ten matching penguins stand in a row, and then there is that one fellow in the Hawaiian shirt. Page 65 makes children laugh first and think second, which is the best order for learning. An outlier is the data point that does not match the others, and spotting it is a real research skill, because outliers can be mistakes, surprises, or the most interesting finding of all. Watching how a child hunts for the odd one out reveals a lot about how they observe, which is one reason coloring works so well as gentle assessment. Different is not wrong, it is worth a closer look.

The research skill

Deciding what counts as "the same" is the first step in spotting an outlier. Look closely: the matching penguins all wear little bow ties, while the one in the middle swaps that for sunglasses and a flowered Hawaiian shirt. Before researchers label something an outlier, they describe the usual pattern, then check the odd one carefully: was it recorded wrong, or is it truly different? In Chapter 5, that double-check keeps data honest. Later, your child will do the same in math class when one number in a list looks way off.

Try it at home

Play "Find the Odd One" with things from around the house. Set out a row of five or six items that share something, like spoons, and slip in one that differs, like a fork. Your child finds the outlier and, more importantly, explains the rule it broke. Then make it trickier: a row of red things with one in a slightly different shade, or socks with one that has no match. Finally, let your child build a row for you and see whether you can name the rule.

Talk about it while you color

• How many penguins can you count, and which one did you spot first?
• Why do you think this penguin is wearing a Hawaiian shirt?
• What would you wear if you wanted to stand out in a crowd of penguins?