In this activity, children will color the correct number of boxes in a graph
to show their choices and then show their understanding of the graph's meaning
through teacher-led class discussion.
Set a scenario for the class: At the end of the month the class will have a
special snack to celebrate "good effort," a "special" day, or whatever you
choose to reward. You would like to know in advance which of four snacks children prefer.
Pass out Favorite Snacks.
Identify the four snacks pictured at the bottom of the page.
Children cut out the entire strip of four, and then choose and cut out the picture of the
snack they would prefer to have at the end of the month. Have two students stand and
each hold a paper bag, one of which is labeled "Yes" and the other "No." Every student
puts the picture of the snack they chose into the "Yes" bag and then the pictures
of the three snacks they did not choose into the "No" bag.
Take the "Yes" bag and draw out one picture at a time and identify it. Students are
to color one square in their graphs. Continue until all the children's choices
have been identified and their graphs completed. Put the paper slips back in "Yes" bag.
Lead discussion and ask questions to help children interpret the graph. For
example: "How do you think most of the class would feel if I chose _______?" (Substitute
the least favorite snack for the blank.) "Which snack choice would make most people
happiest? How do you know?" "Which snack should be served at the end of the month
as our 'special' snack?" Encourage children to make up their own questions and/or
point out observations.
TEACHING OPTIONS
You may wish to use the actual pieces in the "Yes" bag to construct a vertical
graph by sticking each piece on the blackboard. Ask children to discuss
similarities and differences between the two graphs.