Becoming Data Collectors

4-4 Interpreting Data (1.OA.A.1 & 1.MD.C.4)

If you are looking for an engaging graphing lesson for your first grade students, you have come to the right place!

What better way to practice graphing than for students to become data collectors themselves?! In this lesson, students will create their own survey, collect data, graph their results, and interpret the data from their graph. The only material you will need to teach this lesson is our FREE Data Collection Forms.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE DATA COLLECTION FORMS ACTIVITY

Interpreting Data Activity

Tell students today they are going to become their own data collectors within the classroom. Students will develop their own survey question they would like to ask their classmates. As a class, brainstorm different question ideas. Student survey questions should have no more than three possible answers. For example:

• What is your favorite ice cream flavor? (Vanilla, Chocolate, Strawberry)
• What is your favorite zoo animal? (Giraffe, Elephant, Monkey)
• What is your favorite color? (Red, Blue, Yellow)

Student Survey Questions

When students have selected a survey question, they will write it underneath the ‘My Survey Question’ header. Then, students will write the three answer choices in the ‘Options’ column underneath the ‘My Data Collection’ header. Model these steps for students to ensure their information is written in the correct locations prior to beginning the data collection.

Preparing for Data Collection

Before students begin their data collection, teach students how to politely greet one another and ask their question. It may be helpful to choose two students to help model this process. For example:

Student A: Hello! I am completing a survey about ________. May I ask you a question?

Student B: Yes, you may! 

Student A: Asks question and lists answer choices.

Student B: Responds with their answer choice.  

Student A: Thank you for helping me with my survey!

Student B: You’re welcome!

As students are modeling the conversation, also show students how to place a tally mark next to the survey respondent’s answer choice.

Start Collecting Data

When students are ready to start collecting their data, allow students time to circulate around the room and conduct their survey. If you have clipboards, consider allowing each student to place their data collection form on a clipboard as they collect their survey data.

Label Student Graphs

After students have collected their data, come back together as a whole class and discuss students’ findings. The next step will be for students to graph their data.

Students are to create a title for their graph. Teach students the importance of creating a very specific title for their graph so their data can be easily be interpreted. For example, instead of simply titling the graph “Ice Cream,” a stronger graph title would be “Favorite Ice Cream Flavors in Our Class.”

Title the Graphs

Once students have titled their graph, they are to label the bottom portion (x-axis) of the graph with their varying answer choices and a title for these choices. For instance, if a student asked a survey question about their classmates’ favorite ice cream flavors, they would label the x-axis as “Ice Cream Flavors.” Then, they will label their three specific answer choices directly underneath the graph.

Model for the Students

Model this for students as well to ensure their graphs are labeled correctly. When they have labeled their graph, they may choose 3 different colors to graph their data in the form of a bar graph. The three different colors will be used to represent each answer choice.

Closing Questions

When students have finished graphing their data, discuss their findings as a class. Use the following questions as discussion points:

• Which answer choice did the most students choose?
• Which answer choice did the least students choose?
• What is the difference between the highest and lowest data points?
• How many students did you survey?
• Are you surprised by the results of your survey? Why or why not?

Now that your students have experienced data collection and interpretation firsthand, they will be asking you to collect data all the time!

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