Browse lesson plans

Taking a stride in graphing

This lesson provides hands-on activities for students to use real-life experiences and apply them to graphing.

Format: lesson plan (grade 2–4 Mathematics)

By Sandy Brooks.

Resources on the web

Aluminum cans

In this lesson, one of a five-part unit from Illuminations titled “Mathematics and Environmental Concerns,” students gather and graph information about their use of aluminum cans, and then interpret the data, including finding and displaying... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–5 Mathematics)

Provided by: Illuminations

Amazing attributes: Looking back and moving forward

In this lesson, teachers ensure that students have grasped the major concepts on sorting and organizing. Students should be able to: collect data using objects, pictures, and symbols; organize data by sorting and classifying in different ways; display data... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade K Mathematics)

Provided by: Illuminations

Baby weight

This Illuminations lesson is the first of four related lessons grouped under the title “Application - Using Math in Everyday Life.” In this lesson, students work with data to complete an organized chart for the purpose of transferring information... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade K–2 Mathematics)

Provided by: Illuminations

Bar graph investigations

In this lesson, one of a seven-part unit from Illuminations titled “How Many More Fish?,” students apply what they know about comparison subtraction by constructing bar graphs and using them to answer questions. They conduct a survey to gather... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade K–1 Mathematics)

Provided by: Illuminations

Comparing columns on a bar graph

In this lesson, the sixth of a seven-lesson unit from Illuminations, students apply what they know about comparison subtraction by constructing bar graphs and using the graphs to answer questions. They then play a subtraction game. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade K Mathematics)

Provided by: Illuminations

The eyes have it

In this lesson, one of a four-part unit from Illuminations titled “Look at Me,” students collect data about the eye color of class members. They create bar graphs with several classifications of data. They pose and answer questions about the... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade K–1 Mathematics)

Provided by: Illuminations

Favorite pizza toppings

In this lesson, one of a four-part unit from Illuminations titled “Pizza,” students participate in an activity in which they focus on gathering and interpreting data about pizza. Students make a bar graph to display information about their favorite... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–5 Mathematics)

Provided by: Illuminations

First names first

Students create bar graphs and find the range and mode of a set of data. They explore the relationship of vowels to consonants in their names. Illuminations provides activity sheets, a link to the bar graphing tool, and detailed instructions for completing... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–5 Mathematics)

Provided by: Illuminations

Graphing trash material

In this lesson, students participate in activities in which they investigate the data in connection with recyclable materials and develop plans to help the environment. Students then work to create an action plan for recycling. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade K Mathematics)

Provided by: Illuminations

Interpreting population statistics

In this lesson from the National Geographic Xpeditions website, students are introduced to population statistics such as birth, death, and literacy rates. They compare these indicators for several countries, graph the results, and hypothesize what their... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 6–8 Mathematics and Social Studies)

Provided by: Xpeditions

Last names next

Students create bar graphs and circle graphs and find the range and mode of two data sets. Illuminations provides grid paper, a link to the circle grapher tool, and detailed instructions for completing the lesson. Students will: Create... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–5 Mathematics)

Provided by: Illuminations

Numbers and me

In this lesson, students participate in activities in which they focus on the uses of numbers. Students identify and use numbers in a real life setting and interpret survey data. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade K Mathematics)

Provided by: Illuminations

State data

Students create graphs based on the characteristics of the names of the 50 States, and find measures of center and of spread. Illuminations provides grid paper, a link to a state data map applet, and detailed instructions for completing the lesson.... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–5 Mathematics)

Provided by: Illuminations

State names

Using multiple representations, students analyze the frequency of letters that occur in the names of all 50 states. After students predict which letters will appear most often in the names of the 50 states, they use the activity sheet to identify the frequency... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–5 and 7–8 Mathematics)

Provided by: Illuminations

Up on top

In this lesson, one of a four-part unit from Illuminations titled “Look at Me,” students generate bar graphs. Posing and answering questions using the graphs gives students an opportunity to apply their reasoning and communication skills. They... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade K–2 Mathematics)

Provided by: Illuminations