Graphing with second graders

Second graders will sort M & M's and then enter the data into a spreadsheet in order to create a simple graph.

A lesson plan for grade 2 Computer/Technology Skills

By DPI Integration Strategies

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Related topics

• Learn more about graphing, spreadsheets, and technology skills.

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Learning outcomes

Students will be able to:

• sort items by color.
• create a simple spreadsheet in which to enter data.
• create a bar graph using information entered into their spreadsheet.
• analyze and interpret data from a bar graph.

Teacher planning

Time required for lesson

2 hours

Materials/resources

• M & M’s - One snack-size bag per student.
• Paper and crayons.

Technology resources

Spreadsheet software such as Cruncher, Microsoft Works, or Apple Works.

Pre-activities

• Students should have previous experience sorting and graphing.
• Pets, brothers/sisters, ways of getting to school, and eye color are a few examples of information to graph.

Activities

1. Show students a bag of M & Ms. Ask them to predict what colors will be in the bag and which will be the most common color.
2. Give students M & M’s. Instruct them to sort the M & M’s by color.
3. Have students make a paper bar graph (either on a prepared form or blank sheet, whichever is appropriate for your students) of the colors. Following construction of the graph, discuss earlier predictions of colors and most common color.
4. In a spreadsheet program, have students enter the colors in the first column and the number of each color in the second column.
5. Use the data to have the spreadsheet create a bar graph. In Microsoft Works, highlight data and choose Create New Chart from the Tools menu. The default is bar graph unless it has been changed to another kind of chart.
6. Have students type their name. In Microsoft Works, you can have them use the header or footer from the View menu.
7. After printing the spreadsheet generated graph, have students compare the printed graph with their paper graph. Ask students to tell/write what is the same and what is different in the two graphs.

Assessment

Completed bar graphs. A teacher-made checklist of items or information found on a completed graph would be a useful assessment.