Table and Graph Unit

[Sam5]

I teach challenge 5th grade math. Our next unit is on data collection, tables, and graphs. I would like to create a real life problem solving unit for it. I want something beyond just surveying another class and creating a graph of the information. I wanted it to have a purpose. I was thinking of having them create a new candy bar, toy, pencil, or lunch menu (or anything like that) based on information they learned from a survey of other students. We could then have discussions about what data they need to collect, learn how to graph the data, and then make decisions based on the data. Does anyone have any ideas? I don't know exactly how to set it up or put it together. Has anyone ever done this?

 

[Margaret916]

similar

I did a lesson about why we use these graphs we learn about. Who cares???

I found some in real life that were appropriate for kids. Scholastic Math and Dyna Math supplied the graphs...heh. We had a bar graph about how kids say no to drugs, a line graph about how the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere is increasing and a pictograph about the response to seeing your friends cheating and finally a table and chart about the speed and position of floats in the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade.

It's not like what you want to do...but it's a good way to challenge and show them the "why"....

 

[mom2twoboys]

I just wrote a paper regarding this topic for my master's class. My idea was to present the students with the prompt "The director of school lunches wants to add a new item to the menu. He/She won't do it until there is data to back it up. It is your job to figure out what students would like to have added. You then must put your data into bar graph and pictograph form. Finally, you must write a persuasive essay, including data from your graphs, to persuade the director to add your item."

I didn't really do this with my class considering that we were past that point in our curriculum when I came up with the idea, but I got an A.

 

[Zilly]

mom2twoboys

I love your performance task idea! Did you make any rubrics to assess it?

 

[Sam5]

Real life graph

I like your cafeteria idea- I was thinking along those lines. Do you have the unit in completed form. I would love to see it if you do.

 

[mom2twoboys]

Nope, sorry guys! Developing the rubric and actually making up the sheets that the kiddos would use were not part of my paper. I've just got the basic five page master's paper with references and all that garbage. Not really helpful for the real world, sorry!

Let me know if you have any other questions, I can try to come up with something.