Both pictographs and bar graphs are used to make comparisons. In teaching children to read and interpret these graphs questions should be presented that involve comparing. For example:

1.	Which group has more individuals?
2.	How many more boys are there than girls?
3.	How many girls would be needed to have 5 more girls than boys?

In a pictograph there can be only one dependent variable, but a bar graph can be used to show more than one show in our bar graph we can include the data for grades 4 and 5.

This bar graph was produced using GraphPower and shows the data for all three grades.

Using Appleworks this graph was produced.

2. Enter an appropriate title for the graph. For example, 'A Comparison of the Diameters of the Planets'.

3. The data label refers to the kind of information that is in the graph. In this case 'Planets' would be a good data label.

4. Since the data is given in kilometers (km), kilometers would be an appropriate label for the scale.

5. Next choose a color for the bars of the graph. All the bars will be the same color.

6. Now enter the planet names and the values for the diameter.

7. When everything has been entered look it over to see if anything needs to be changed and then click on the button labeled 'Draw Graph'.

Making a Histogram

A histogram may look like a bar graph but to produce it the data must be organized differently and the information that is communicated with a histogram is also different from a bar graph.

To make a histogram using the data on the planets, set up your table like this:

Diameter in km	Number of Planets
0 - 25,000	5
25,001-75,000	2
75,000+	2

When the table is set up as shown above, this graph is produced.

Graphing projects that involve data from the science or social science curriculum can be meaningful and rewarding experiences for students. In this project we will analyze data on the diameter of the planets using a bar graph and a histogram. From the NASA website many links are provided to scientific data. This link provides accurate information on each of the planets: http://www.seds.org/nineplanets/nineplanets/nineplanets.html

This table was produced from the information provided at the website.

Follow these steps to make a bar graph using one of the tools on the Ventura Educational Systems website.

1. Enter the URL into your browser (Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator), http://www.venturaes.com/graphing/.

Including graphing projects in every childs curriculum can produce many rewarding results. If we strive to emphasize mathematics as a form of communcation, being adept at reading and interpreting graphs has an obvious and important place in many lesson strategies.

A graphing project can be thought of as a curriculum integrator. It is a way for science, math and social science specialists to get together and talk about what to teach and how to teach it. For the student, producing a graph as a way of demonstrating what has been learned in a science or social science investigation can result in a clarification and review of fundamental concepts. Use graphs to help child bring what they have learned down to earth, rather than leaving it lost in space.

Click here to complete a graphing activity online or here to download an Adobe Acrobat PDF of the activity sheet.

send your comments to:

Fred Ventura, Ph.D.

Software Developer

Ventura Educational Systems