And The Survey Says.....
by Cindy Pitre, cindy.pitre@cpsb.org

Content Area(s)
Math

Grade Level(s)
5, 

Overview
Students will collect data from a class survey and use the data to construct graphs.

Software
PTally
Sketchy
Notepad
PrintBoy

Technology
Handheld

Objectives
TLW collect data using a frequency table and calculate percentages.
TLW create circle graphs and compare and contrast data from two groups relative to the same question. Students will interpret data and discuss trends verbally and in writing.
TLW organize and display using handheld software.

Procedures
1. Hold a class discussion on the usefulness of graphs in the real world and which graphs are appropriate for certain data. Have all classes complete some kind of survey so the data can be used to make graphs. I used a semi-glyph activity called "Me" quilts. The quilts from all 4 of my classes were displayed in my room so students could collect data from their class and one other class.

2. The teacher will divide the class into 4 groups and assign a specific graph question for each group to report on. Some examples are: height of students, position in family, birth month and number of boys vs. girls.

3. Two members of each group will use PTally to make a frequency table and collect data from the quilts. They will need to collect data from their class as well as one other class.

4. All members of the group will then work together to convert the data to percentages using the handheld calculator if needed. They will then use this data to construct a circle graph using Sketchy. They will have to construct two graphs, one representing the data collected from their class and one representing the data from another class so they can make comparisons.

5. After the graphs are completed students use PrintBoy to print copies of their graphs for each group.

6. Students will then compare and analyze data to see if they can discover any trends. They will use Notepad to formulate questions for an oral discussion, for example, how many students are the oldest/youngest?, what is the most popular birth month?, etc. You could even have students write questions that could be answered using the data from the graphs and beam or exchange handhelds and answer each others questions. If you wanted to take it a step further, the teacher could provide students with data from previous years and they could see if they could detect trends from year to year. The possibilities are endless!!

Other Supporting Material

Submitted on: 8/27/2006 1:38:30 PM