Mathematics Grade 6
Strand: STATISTICS AND PROBABILITY (6.SP) Standard 6.SP.5
Mathematics Grade 6
Strand: STATISTICS AND PROBABILITY (6.SP) Standard 6.SP.1
Mathematics Grade 6
Strand: STATISTICS AND PROBABILITY (6.SP) Standard 6.SP.4
Small Groups
These activities require students to create different types of graphs.
24 Hour Circle Graphs
Candy Bar Graphs
Moon Graphs
Additional Resources
Books
Navigating Through Data Analysis in Grades 6-8, by Bright, Brewer, McClain, and Mooney; ISBN 0-87353-547-2
In sixth grade, students should know a variety of different graphs, as well as being introduced to scatter plots (or scatterplots) and circle graphs (or pie charts). Stem-and-leaf plots, bar graphs, line graphs, and line plots should have been introduced in previous grades. All graphs and plots require appropriate labels and titles. Here is a brief summary and examples of some of the graphs students should be comfortable with reading and creating:
LINE PLOT: A line plot is a quick way to arrange data. The values of data are listed on the horizontal axis, and an X is placed above the axis to represent one item.
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BAR GRAPH: A bar graph is one of the most commonly used and easy to read graphs. Bar graphs show frequency of defined data values in a set of data. The length of the bar shows the frequency of the data for that item. Bars may be drawn horizontally or vertically and should be the same width to avoid confusion. Stacked bar graphs and double (or triple, quadruple, etc.) bar graphs compare additional sets of data within the same graph. Below is an example of a triple bar graph.
CIRCLE GRAPH: Also known as a pie chart, this graph is partitioned in different segments equaling one hundred percent. This graph is great for comparing data within a set and is very visual.
STEM-AND-LEAF PLOT: Also known as a stem plot, this graph separates the tens place from the ones place (or hundreds and tens from ones). This is minimizes confusion for the viewer because there are less digits; also, it creates a graph to show the frequency of numbers within the tens digits. The tens digits are the stems and the ones digits are the leaves. Each leaf represents one of the pieces of data.
To make reading the graph simpler, the leaves should be in numerical order. A back-to-back stem plot can be used to compare two sets of data.
LINE GRAPH: This graph type is great for showing data over time. The time is shown on the horizontal axis and the other data is on the vertical axis. The points are plotted based on the correlation of the time and the data. The points are connected together by line segments. This creates a visual way of seeing the data change over periods of time. The scale of the vertical axis can greatly change the way the information looks.
SCATTER PLOT: This graph consists of a grid using Cartesian coordinates to graph points. The two points are determined by the two characteristics of the data. After the coordinates are graphed, the viewer can determine whether or not the two characteristics correlate (are related). A scatter plot is an excellent way to show whether or not the two measurements correlate.
6. Represent mathematical ideas in a variety of ways.
Invitation to Learn
24 Hour Circle Graphs
Instructional Procedures
Candy Bar Graphs
Moon Graphs
Curriculum Extensions/Adaptations/Integration
Research Basis
Blakemore, C. L. (2003). Movement is essential to learning. JOPERD: The Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance, 74(9), 22-26.
This article strongly asserts that student learning is greatly enhanced by movement. Studies have shown that students learn and remember better through physical activity. A variety of movements, such as cross-lateral exercises, are suggested. However, any type of movement will improve student learning.