Graphing

This week we have been learning about graphs! The students started by creating a class pictograph representing their birthdays. We discussed the importance of reading the title, categories (months in this case), and scaled intervals (what the graph is counting by). 

Next, we created a frequency table (new to 3rd grade) using the same information. We emphasized the similarities and differences. It was important for the students to understand that just because they look different doesn't mean we changed the data. 

Then, I passed out a random mixture of graphs to the class. Some were frequency tables, dot plots, and pictographs. I partnered the students up and they shared what they noticed about their graph. Then I turned on music and they walked around the room. When the music stopped they had to freeze and partner with another group closest to them. The students compared their graphs and shared the similarities and differences. We did this a few times.

The last time they rotated to the music they sorted the graphs based on whether they thought it was a dot plot, frequency table, or pictograph. Both classes completed the sort correctly the first attempt! We watched a mini video about each graph after the sort and I gave the students the option each time to make changes to our sort. I didn't reveal if they were correct or incorrect until the end. They had great conversations!!

I encourage you to ask your child what they know about each type of graph. You could also ask them to give you ideas about what data they might represent using each type. A pictograph is a graph using pictures, a frequency table uses tallies, and a dot plot uses dots to represent information. 

We will continue to work with graphs throughout the year.