Use this guide’s objectives, procedure notes, and answer key to teach students how to set up axes, choose scales and intervals, and build line and bar graphs.
Data Literacy 2. Creating Line and Bar Graphs
Summary
Students learn to build a graph from the ground up: they name the independent and dependent variables, label each axis with units, choose a scale and interval, and write a clear title. They practice with data on gasoline use, car speed, and plant growth, then make a bar graph from data they collect themselves. The lesson opens with a short story, A Tale of Two Axes, and includes a teacher guide with an answer key, a slide deck to project, and a student guide. It’s Level 2 of a 5-part series, with Levels 1 and 2 ideal for upper elementary and middle school. Parts 3-5 are coming soon!
Activities
Slide Deck
Project these slides to model building a line graph step by step, from labeling the axes to plotting the data and writing a title.
Student Guide
Have students read A Tale of Two Axes, then label axes, choose scales, and create line and bar graphs, including one from data they collect themselves.