Grade 6 — Mathematics: Data Analysis and Double Bar Graphs

Overview

Students collect sets of data for double-bar graph display and analyze data to make comparisons.

Activate

Class brainstorms examples of data analysis that would result in the comparisons as found in double bar graphs (e.g., male/female, rural/urban, predicted/actual, junior/senior). Student pairs search for websites of single and double bar graphs. [Gather and Make Sense] Class determines common attributes (title, axes, intervals, and legend) of double bar graphs by comparing the single and double bar graphs.

Teacher Tip:
Statistics Canada Statistics: Power from Data (Bar Graphs) might generate some ideas.

Samples:
Planet Double Bar Graph Sample
Data Displays: Grades 5-8

Suggestions for Assessment:
Observation: Note if students search efficiently to find relevant graphs and if they determine criteria for double bar graph.

Students visit a given website and select athletic records. [Gather and Make Sense] Using the selected data, students enter data comparing junior and senior times for four different events into a given double bar graph spreadsheet. [Produce to Show Understanding] Students label and title the graph. Students analyze data to make comparisons.

Teacher Tip:
Students should independently locate the Records and Rating tab on the given url and find the required records.

Support Files:
Athletic Record Comparison Spreadsheet Sample

Suggestions for Assessment:
Work sample: Review graphs for accurate selection and entering of data and labeling.

Acquire

Student pairs select five physical activities and use heart-rate monitors to take heart rates using their arms and not using arms at the one-minute mark. [Gather and Make Sense] Students construct   a double bar graph and analyze data to make comparisons about whether using arms in physical activities increases their heart rate. [Produce to Show Understanding]

Teacher Tip:
Heart-rate monitors may be available for signing out at a divisional level.

Suggestions for Assessment:
Work sample: Review graphs for accurate collecting and entering of data

Apply

Student groups compose and carry out a survey in their local class, school, or community [Produce to Show Understanding,  Gather and Make Sense]. Students email the survey to a class in a different geographic region. [Communicate] Students represent the data using double bar graphs. Students analyze data to make comparisons. [Produce to Show Understanding]

Suggestions for Assessment:
Focus assessment on only one or two of the potential math data analysis outcomes.