Graphing

Designed by: Christi Jones and Jeanna Hoffman
Satchel Ford Elementary School

1) Core Curriculum Objective: Construct, read and interpret appropriate tables, charts, pictographs, and bar graphs.  (2SPI-2)

Grade level:  Second           Subject: Math

2) Overview:  The students will be introduced to graphs using a web site.  The children will then construct a birthday graph together using sidewalk chalk.  Last, the students will decide on their own topic, survey students and construct their own bar graph. 

3) Focus Question: How do you make a bar graph?

4) Time Frame: 2 class periods (60 minutes each)

5) Resources/ Materials:             

sidewalk chalk

paper

pencils

poster board

chart paper

magazines or newspapers with graphs in them

http://www.col-ed.org/cur/math/math07.txt

http://www.ash.udel.edu/ash/challenge/challengeframe.html

6) Culminating Assessment: Students will decide on a topic and survey 15
students at recess.  Students will record the data and create a bar graph on poster board or on the computer.  Teacher will assess the graphs using the following rubric:

7) Instructional Activities

Activity One:

Introduce the lesson to the students using the web site, http://www.ash.udel.edu/ash/challenge/challengeframe.html  . Show the students a bar graph and tell them that we are going to learn how to make them today.  Take them through a sample bar graph on this web site. 

Tell the class they are going to make a big birthday graph.  Tell them that they need to find out when is everyone’s birthday.  Make a tally table on chart paper.  Ask anyone who has a birthday in January to stand.  Fill in the tally chart for January.  Have the children stand up for each month and fill in the chart.  An example of one may look like this:

Take the tally table outside and create a bar graph with sidewalk chalk.  Show the children how to construct the graph by putting the title up at the top and the months on the bottom.  Show they how to put numbers down the side.  It should look like this:

Tell the children that you want them to construct their own bar graph.  Tell them they will need a topic first, like birthdays.  Brainstorm a couple ideas for topics as a class (i.e. eye color, favorite candy).  Then have them choose a partner and brainstorm more topic ideas.  Have students share example topics and provide feedback.  

Ask the students to decide on a topic they would like to use for their graph.  Tell them that they need to make a tally chart on a piece of paper.  Explain that when they go outside for recess, they need to survey 15 people and fill in their tally charts.

Once the students have completed the charts explain that they are going to make a bar graph.  They will have a choice of making it on poster board or on the computer.  If they choose a poster, let them begin.  If they choose the computer, give them a quick lesson on how to make the graph. 

Once the data collecting is complete, let the students rotate going to the computer in the classroom or the library, to create the graph.  As students are making the graphs, observe and give feedback when necessary.  Once each pair has completed, have them share in front of the class.  Display the posters in the library and put the computer graphs on the website. 

To close, tell them graphs are an easy way of displaying information.  Ask the students when they might use graphs?  Tell them for homework you would like them to find a graph in the newspaper, magazine or on the internet, and bring it to school.  Any child that does not have magazines or newspapers at home should be provided with one to take home.

Extensions:  Another great graphing lesson plan can be found at http://www.col-ed.org/cur/math/math07.txt.