Graphing and Computers in Grades 3-5
by Fred Ventura, Ph.D.

One clear societal impact attributed to the rapid development and implementation of computer technology is what could be called Information Age overload. We are constantly bombarded with facts and figures about our complex world. The abilities to understand and to interpret graphs are increasingly important skills because these skills help us make sense of confusing information in an effort to be better able to make decisions.

Nationally math educators have recognized that it is necessary to stress developing skill in interpreting graphs as an essential part of the elementary and secondary curriculum in order to prepare students for full participation in adult society. The Principles and Standards for School Mathematics, a document that was released in April, 2000 by NCTM (http://www.nctm.org). Graphing is a component of the Data Analysis and Probability Standard (page 176). NCTM calls for increased emphasis on the use of graphing as a way to better interpret statistical data.

Reading, interpreting, making, and comparing graphs are activities that should be woven through the entire elementary and secondary curriculum. Graphing is a great way for teachers to provide an integrated approach to learning where several disciplines can be combined in a single lesson. For example, science, social science and math topics can all be explored and interrelated using a graph as a focal point. Technology (for example, a computer and appropriate software) can be integral part of the project and a tool for active learning. In this article we will focus on activities appropriate for grades 3 through 5, but there are many engaging activities that involve graphing and data analysis that are appropriate for students in the primary, middle school and high school levels.

Usually the first step in making a graph is to collect the data for the graph in a table. This table represents the number of boys and girls grades 3, 4 and 5 at Maple Elementary School.
 

 3

 4

 5
 Boys

 35

 20

 30
 Girls

 25

 30

 35

By stating that each symbol represents 5 people. We can make a pictograph like this one to show the number of males and females in the third grade.

Comparison of Males to Females in Grade 3
   

The skills involved in creating, reading and interpreting this type of graph is very appropriate for grade 3 students who are also learning about multiplication. GraphPower™, Kid Pix™ and The Graph Club are three programs that could be used to create a pictograph.

7 x

 35 males

 5 x

 

 25 females

Reading and interpreting a bar graph involves a different set of cognitive skills. Let's use this website to make a bar graph:

http://www.venturaes.com/tools/graph.html

Choosing appropriate titles and labels for a graph is an important part of the graphing skill that needs to develop in the elementary grades.

For this graph we enter 'Comparison of Males to Females in Grade 3'. Next we label the scale and data with terms or phrases that help to explain the meaning of the graph. After selecting a color for the bars it is now necessary to enter the data for the graph in the table at the right of the screen. Once the data has been entered, click on the Draw Graph button to see the result.

 Using Technology  

Teaching the concepts and skills related to graphing in grades 3-5 involved the integration of a variety of mathematical topics. For example, to make a pictograph to show the number of boys and girls in a group we could use these symbols.

 Male

 
 Female

 
If each symbol represents one student, either male or female, then we could easily make a graph like this to perhaps compare males to females in a family or perhaps a study group at school.
 

 
But, of course it would be difficult to show the number of males and females in a class or shcool using this method, since it would invlove a much larger number of symbols. What if you want to compare the number of males and females in a state or country? For this reason, in a pictograph, we often use one symbol to represent many people or objects.

 

A spreadsheet program with a graphing function can be used to generate a bar graph. This example was created using AppleWorks.

This graph uses the same data but was created by GraphPower.

[next page]