Illuminations: Collecting, Representing, and Interpreting Data Using Spreadsheets and Graphing Software

Collecting, Representing, and Interpreting Data Using Spreadsheets and Graphing Software

Representing and Interpreting Data

In this lesson, Representing and Interpreting Data, students use the graphing functions of a spreadsheet to help them interpret data.

Materials
 
  • Computer and Internet connection

Instructional Plan
Most spreadsheets have graphing functions that create graphs to facilitate comparing columns of data. Use the graphing function of the spreadsheet below to graph the daily temperatures by date to see the pattern of the temperatures during the month. Next, graph the temperatures after they have been sorted from lowest to highest in the spreadsheet. In this way, students can get a different view of the data, showing the range and distribution of the temperatures for January. Make a bar graph to display the sky conditions during the time documented in the spreadsheet.

 

[Stand-alone applet]

Questions for Students
 
Students in grades 3–5 should continue to develop the habit of representing problems and ideas in many ways to support and extend their reasoning. Spreadsheets offer a wide range of options for representing data. Working with spreadsheets, students must make decisions about the data they select, the type of graph that is appropriate for both the data and the question they want to answer, and the best settings for the different parameters that control the aspects of the graph. When making these choices, students have the opportunity to learn about the advantages and limitations of the different representations they try.

Teacher Reflection
 
  • In what other activities can spreadsheets be used as tools for organizing, representing, and comparing data?
  • How can spreadsheet activities offer opportunities for students to demonstrate their reasoning?
  • How can teachers assess students' understanding as they observe them working on spreadsheet activities?

NCTM Standards and Expectations
 
Data Analysis & Probability 3-5
  1. Collect data using observations, surveys, and experiments.
  2. Represent data using tables and graphs such as line plots, bar graphs, and line graphs.
  
1 period   

NCTM Resources

Principles and Standards for School Mathematics
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Thinkfinity
More and Better Mathematics for All Students
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