Edited - GraphingSkillsSE - Andrew Cannon
Edited - GraphingSkillsSE - Andrew Cannon
Edited - GraphingSkillsSE - Andrew Cannon
Name: ______________________________________ Date: _______________________
Student Exploration: Graphing Skills
Vocabulary: bar graph, line graph, negative relationship, pie chart, positive relationship, scale,
scatter plot, variable
Prior Knowledge Questions (Do these BEFORE using the Gizmo.)
1. Four kinds of graphs are shown in this Gizmo. Circle the kinds you have seen before.
2. Use the Graph type dropdown list to select other
kinds of graphs. Practice with each type of graph:
● On the Line graph drag the points up and down.
● On the Pie chart change the size of each slice by dragging the edges.
● On the Scatter plot drag points from the data table to the graph.
Get the Gizmo ready:
Activity A: ● On the Challenge menu, select Create graph.
● On the Graph type menu, select Bar graph.
Bar graphs ● If necessary, click New until Animal speed data
appears.
Goal: Build a bar graph based on a data table.
1. Create graph: A bar graph is useful for comparing things, such as how fast animals can run.
● Write a title for the graph. (Look at the title of the data table for a suggestion.)
● Label the horizontal axis and the vertical axis.
● Pick what you think is the best choice for a vertical axis scale.
● Drag each bar to match the data in the table. Do your best to estimate heights.
2. Check your work: Click Check to see how well you did.
87
A. What was your accuracy score? (Over 90 is excellent.) ______________________
B. What vertical scale did you choose? (In other words, how much does each horizontal
5
line on the graph represent?) __________________________________
3. Revise: Click Show value on mouseover. Move the cursor over each bar to see its value.
Adjust each bar and click Check until the accuracy score is 100. To show your work, click
the camera ( ) icon to take a snapshot. Rightclick the image, and click Copy Image.
Paste the screenshot into a blank document.
Human
4. Interpret: Which of these animals is fastest? ______________ Slowest? ______________
Elk
Cheetah
5. Apply: Click New and make the next bar graph. Adjust the scale if needed and don’t forget
to make a title and label each axis. Click Check to see your accuracy.
Japan and
A. What country has the highest life expectancy? The lowest? __________________
Zombie
Zambia
_________________________________________________________________
B. Does anything about the graph surprise you? _____________________________
No
__________________________________________________________________
Activity B: Get the Gizmo ready:
● Under Graph type select Line graph.
Line graphs and ● If necessary, click New until Temperature data
pie charts appears.
Goal: Build a line graph and a pie chart.
Line graphs
1. Create graph: Line graphs are often used to show how something changes over time. Write
a title and label the axes. Adjust the vertical scale if needed. Create the line graph by
dragging the points up and down.
92
2. Check your work: Click Check. What was your accuracy score? ____________________
3. Revise: Turn on Show values on mouseover and adjust the graph until your score is 100.
Take a screenshot of your graph and paste it into a document.
Saturday
4. Interpret: Which day was hottest? _____________ Which day was coolest? ___________
Wensday
5. Apply: Try additional line graphs until you are comfortable making this type of graph.
Discuss the most interesting graphs with your teacher and classmates.
Pie charts
6. Create graph: Pie charts are used to show proportional data. Under Graph type select Pie
chart. Make sure that Show values and labels is checked. Write a title for the pie chart and
drag the pie pieces to match the data table.
7. Check your work: Click Check. Revise your pie chart if necessary. When the pie chart is
correct, paste a screenshot of the chart into your document.
Apple
8. Interpret: What were the most popular pies? ____________________________________
9. Apply: Try additional pie charts until you are comfortable with this type of graph. For a real
challenge, try to make a pie chart with the Show values and labels checkbox turned off.
10. Extend your thinking: The Gizmo also allows you to create a data table from a graph. Under
Challenge select Create table. Write a title for the table and then fill in each empty box
based on the graph. Click Check to check your accuracy.