Graphing Lesson Plan
Third Grade
Kim Knox
Goals & Objectives
Illinois State Goal #10: Collect, organize and analyze data using
statistical methods; predict results; and interpret
uncertainty using concepts of probability.
Learning Standard: 10.B.2b Collect, organize and display data
using tables, charts, bar graphs, line graphs, circle graphs,
line plots and stem-and-leaf graphs.
District #709 Objective: 10B.437 Organize data by making a bar
graph
District #709 Objective: 10B.230 Collect and record information
Length of Lesson
· 2 class periods (Day 1: 50-60 minutes; Day 2: 30 minutes in the computer lab)
Materials
(Day 1)
· Small M & M bags
· Graphing paper
· Crayons, markers, or colored pencils
· Pencils
· Teacher computer & LCD projector
· Color printer
(Day 2)
· Computer for each student
· Colored printer
Procedure
Day 1:
1. I will ask the students if they know of anyway that information can be displayed.
2. I will then show the students different examples of bar graphs and pie charts using the LCD projector that is hooked to my teacher computer. http://www.sd76.ab.ca/curlinks/graphing/Types%20of%20graphs/TypesDataPg1.htm
3. Using the examples on the LCD projector, we will discuss all the important parts of a graph (title, x axis, and y axis).
4. We will also discuss the differences between bar graphs and pie charts.
5. I will explain that today we will be creating our own bar graph on paper and the following day we will take that information and create a bar graph and a pie chart on the computer.
6. I will pass out a small bag of M & M’s to each student.
7. I will have the students open their bag and sort the M & M’s by color.
8. Next, using the graph paper that I will pass out to each individual, the students will record the information they obtained from sorting the different colors of M & M’s.
9. Students will use crayons, markers, or colored pencils to color in the bars of their graph. I will explain that the bars can be colored side by side or there can be a space between the bars.
10. After all students are done coloring in the bars of their bar graph, we will discuss possible titles for our graph. Each student will record a title for his/her graph.
11. I will also instruct the students to record the color names along the x axis and record the numbers along the y axis.
12. Next, within groups of 4, students will combine their information and create a new group graph for their M & M’s using a new piece of graph paper.
13. After discussing the results of the group graphs, we will create a classroom bar graph for all the different M & M’s in the classroom. This will be done on the LCD projector using this site: http://nces.ed.gov/nceskids/Graphing/ This site will be used the following day in the computer lab. This will be a good demonstration on how the program/site works. I will print this graph out and display it in the classroom.
14. After discussing what the students learned about graphs, they can eat their M & M’s.
Day 2:
1. Students will be at individual student computers in the computer lab and go to the site: http://nces.ed.gov/nceskids/Graphing/
2. Using the LCD projector in the computer lab, I will guide the students step by step when entering their information into this site to create a bar graph.
3. After each student has printed his/her bar graph, we will start over to create a pie chart with this same information. This will be a great way to compare two different charts with the same information.
Evaluation
I will compare the bar graph that each the student made by hand to the bar graph made on the computer.
**This lesson will be used in conjunction with a unit on chocolate that we do each year.**
Resources
http://www.sd76.ab.ca/curlinks/graphing/Types%20of%20graphs/TypesDataPg1.htm
http://nces.ed.gov/nceskids/Graphing/
http://www.eduref.org/cgi-bin/printlessons.cgi/Virtual/Lessons/Mathematics/Probability/PRB0005.html
http://www.isbe.net/ils/math/word/goal10.doc
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(Graph Title)
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(M & M Colors)