Representing Data in Tables, Bar Graphs, and Pictographs

Lesson Plan - Get It!

Audio:

Look at the Favorite Gifts Bar Graph in the Downloadable Resources section on the right-hand sidebar.

• What do you think this graph is representing?

Yes! It is a bar graph showing which gifts people like the most.

Large amounts of information can be represented in tables and graphs.

To get started, copy the following vocabulary words down into your notebook. Then, add the definitions you find at Merriam-Webster.

In this lesson, you will create a bar graph and a pictograph. The information you need to create each graph is below.

BAR GRAPH

Bar graphs represent data or information visually. They are a great way to communicate information to others without speaking.

When creating a bar graph, you represent the data in columns or bars.

1. Make sure you have a pencil, graph paper, a ruler, and colored pencils or crayons in your learning area so you can begin.

2. On your graph paper, draw a graph that resembles the following picture.

3. Using your ruler, draw a horizontal line going from left to right.

4. Draw an arrow on the right end.

5. Line your ruler up at the left end of that line and draw a vertical line going up.

6. Put an arrow at the top of that line.

7. Make sure you label the different parts of the graph as you see in the picture. The horizontal line (left to right) is the X-axis with instruments named under it (Guitar, Trumpet, Drum, Saxophone, and Piano). Under those words is the title, "Musical instruments."

8. Alongside the vertical line, or Y-axis (up and down), are numbers 0 to 900. Make sure you list those numbers precisely as you see them. Alongside the numbers is the title "Numbers of instruments."

9. At the top of the graph is the graph title, "Sales of Musical Instruments."

11. Once you have finished drawing the graph, you are ready to enter the data as bars. The information is below.

According to the data, the company has sold 630 Guitars, 720 Trumpets, 405 Drums, 540 Saxophones, and 405 Pianos. It is your job to represent those numbers on your graph!

12. Using a red pencil or crayon, draw a red line across the Guitar column where the number 630 is. Follow the example below.

13. Use the same colored pencil or crayon and color the rest of that column down to the X-axis. You have graphed the data! Great job!

14. Do the same with the rest of the data from the picture, including the sales amounts for each instrument. USE A DIFFERENT COLOR FOR EACH INSTRUMENT.

15. If you reach a number you do not see on the graph, you must estimate where it falls (between which two numbers).

Your graph should look like the example below.

PICTOGRAPH

A pictograph resembles a bar graph. One difference is that you use pictures to display the data instead of just colors.

The following activity will help you learn how to create a pictograph to help you communicate data.

In keeping with the Music theme, practice representing data from a survey about our favorite kinds of music.

1. You can use a blank sheet of regular paper or graph paper to draw a chart that looks like the following.

2. Make sure your chart looks exactly like the one in the picture above. Across the top is the chart's title, "Music Survey."

3. Make two columns. One column has the title "Type of Music" and the different types listed underneath it (Rock, Pop, Classic, Country, and Jazz). The other column has the title "Number of People."

The rows in that column are blank. That is where we will draw our pictures to represent our data.

Here is the data.

4. Before you start to graph the data in the pictograph, you need to make a decision.

As you can see, the data is in the thousands. You could not draw 3,750 pictures in Rock Row's Number of People column to represent everyone who likes rock music the most.

You have to decide what type of picture you want to represent ALL the data and how many people just one of those pictures represents.

Here is a possibility: A simple (-_-) can be used in each row to represent the data for each type of music. One decision was made!

• Now, how many people will one (-_-) represent?

Not one person! Say that one (-_-) = 500 people. That way, you do not have to draw too many to represent our data!

5. Recheck and ensure you have everything you need. You have drawn your graph, you have the data you need to graph, and you have decided what picture you will use to represent 500 people. Now, graph!

6. Remember, each (-_-) represents 500 people.

• So how many (-_-) will it take to represent the number of people who like Rock music?

Put your multiplication skills to good use. If you did your multiplication correctly, you figured out that 7 (-_-) equals 3,500 people. However, you need to represent 3,750 people.

• Do you have any ideas on representing those last 250 people?

Exactly! Only draw 1/2 of a (-_-). Now, your graph should look like this.

7. Finish putting the rest of the data into the graph. Your completed graph should look like the following.

Head to the Got It? section to keep graphing!