Graph It to Picture It!!!

How It Works: 
"Graph It to Picture It" is a graphing unit that allows students to collect data in order to satisfy their natural curiosity.  Children are curious about how and why and where and who and how many and how much.  They ask these questions all the time. 

In today's high-tech world, we are bombarded with data daily.  How can we absorb so much information?  One way is through visual organizers, such as graphs and tables.

Graphing provides a way for children to organize information clearly so that they can grasp its meaning more readily.  Graphing belongs in every classroom!

This unit will help you help your students to learn how to sort, arrange, label, display data, and formulate and solve problems in their own world.

Students have become adept at interpreting what's presented in tables and graphs.  This unit allots them the opportunity to collect, organize, and display data for themselves. Most importantly this unit will help students appreciate how useful math can be in the world outside the classroom. So step up to the plate and start collecting, organizing and sorting so that you too can be dazzled with data!

Standards: 
Integrate mathematics as a tool for problem solving.
Develop an understanding of the concepts and techniques of data analysis and probability and use them to model situations, solve problems, analyze and draw appropriate inferences from data.
Formulate questions that can be addressed with data and collect, organize and display relevant data to answer them.
Select and use appropriate statistical methods to analyze data.
Develop and evaluate inferences and predictions that are based on data.
Understand and apply basic concepts of probability.

Estimated Class Periods To Complete:
10 or more

Software Materials Used:  
Software needed to complete projects include multimedia presentation software such as Hyper Studio, PowerPoint, KidPix, and a word processor with spreadsheet program such as ClarisWorks, AppleWorks, Microsoft Excel, etc.

Keywords:  
Axes, Origin, Coordinates, Ordered pairs, Graph, Linear, Pictograph, Bar Graph, Line Graph, Intercepts, Rate, Slope, Parallel, Perpendicular, Probability, Prediction, Symbol, Percentage

Students:  
This project is suitable for the intermediate grades in elementary school and can be adapted for middle school students as well. The lessons take into consideration the different learning styles of students. Students can be grouped in order to complete projects or they can be done individually. Students will need basic skills in reading, mathematics and writing as well as technology.

Overall:  
The intent of this project is to give students the opportunity to collect, organize, and describe data; construct, read, and interpret displays of data; formulate and solve problems that involve collecting and analyzing data; and then take this information to create technology- rich projects and presentations.  Students will be exposed to a variety of fun activities designed for the elementary grades but easily adapted to middle school grades.

Tips:  
Conduct basic training on Internet navigation prior to beginning unit. Check all links to make sure they are still active. Have all printables ready for students. Share the rubrics provided for each project so that students are well aware of expectations.

About the Teacher: Rosa M. Sampedro has been teaching in the Miami-Dade Public School System for 16 years. She received her Bachelors Degree and Masters degree from Florida International University. She is currently teaching Spanish SL (Second Language) and is the Technology Specialist at her school.  She has developed a website entitled, "Spanish with a Splash of Technology" to assist students who have computers at home.  

She is currently the Web Master for her school's web page. The Miami Herald has recently featured her as “Super Teacher” for her approach to teaching Spanish through multimedia projects. She is the Parent Trainer and School Site Coordinator for the Citibank FamilyTech program in her school. Rosa Sampedro is always on the lookout for new and exciting ways to entice students into learning.

Subjects:   Math

Grade Levels:   3-5

Email Rosa