Daily Graph

Summary

Daily Graph is designed to be a math extension of any and all topics that are being discussed in the classroom. This lesson includes many graphing ideas.

Materials

• Chart paper
• Unifix cubes
• Balance scales
• Clocks
• Popsicle sticks

Background for Teachers

Daily Graph is designed to be a math extension of any and all topics that are being discussed in the classroom. This lesson includes several ideas to create graphs, but the most meaningful experience will happen when the graphs are tied into the Core Curriculum being discussed in class at that specific time. For example, if you have been studying seeds as part of a plant unit, students should graph their favorite seeds.

Intended Learning Outcomes

5. Understand and use basic concepts and skills.
6. Communicate clearly in oral, artistic, written, and nonverbal form.

Instructional Procedures

Invitation to Learn
Collect data as students arrive in the morning or as they return to the classroom following lunch or after recess. Collecting data can be done in a variety of ways. Be creative and use as many different methods and materials as possible.

Instructional Procedures

1. Each day each student should participate in the daily data collection and graphing experience by adding to the class data.
2. After each student has participated, the teacher facilitates a discussion about the data collected. Below is a list of ideas for the daily graph exercise.
   • Are you a boy or a girl?
   • Are you shorter or taller than the line on the wall?
   • How do you fasten your shoes?
   • Which do you like better? (e.g., sun or snow, hamburger or pizza, etc.)
   • How old are you?
   • Which color do you like best?
   • How many pets do you have?
   • How many people live in your house?
   • How many pockets do you have?
   • What color are your shoes?
   • What color is your hair?
   • What color are your eyes?
   • What flavor of ice cream do you like?
   • What do you think the weather will be like tomorrow? (Today, at lunch, after school, etc.)
   • How do you feel today?
   • Which color is most of your outfit?
   • What do you enjoy doing? (e.g., biking, running, swimming, etc.)
   • Do you have glasses?
   • Do you like to draw, paint, or color?
   • What did you do first when you got up this morning? (e.g., brush teeth, eat breakfast, get dressed, etc.)
   • How many brothers/sisters do you have?
   • How many times can you hop on one foot?
   • How many vowels are in your name?
   • How many consonants are in your name?
   • How many letters are in your name?
   • How many syllables are in your name?
   • What is your favorite holiday?
   • What is your favorite season?
   • How did you get to school today? (e.g., walk, bike, car, bus, etc.)
   • How many teeth have you lost?
   • What is your favorite subject at school?
   • How many children sit at your table?
   • How many buttons do you have today?
   • What is your favorite day of the week?
   • What month is your birthday?
   • What is your favorite coin?
   • What is your favorite time of the day?
   • What is your favorite weather?

Extensions

The possibilities for extensions and integration with this activity are endless. Students could record thoughts and data in journals. They could write numerical math problems and story problems about information. They could write predictions based on information. Groups of children could be in charge of presenting the information to the class. The daily graph can be applied to any subject so integration is simple. For example, if you are learning about syllables, have students graph the number of syllables in their name.

Family Connections
A great family connection is to send home the same graph topic done in class that day to do at home with family. Have students record their thoughts and findings in writing. This also serves as a wonderful assessment of student understanding.

Assessment Plan

Most of the assessments for this activity would have to come from the various extensions done in class. Assessing student journal writing on the daily graph is easier to track and record than just observing their participation in the discussion.