Week 26 · Theme 4, Lesson 5 Gathering Data and Presenting Information · 3 lessons
2
Choose a graph and label it
ICT P5 Term 2, Theme 4: pp. 62–65
GoalChoose the right graph for my data and give it a title, labels and colours.
New words
bar graph · a graph that uses bars to compare amounts of different thingsline graph · a graph that joins points to show change over timetitle · the name of a graph that tells what it showsaxis label · a word beside a graph’s side that says what the numbers or names mean
Explanation
A graph is a picture of data. Different data need different graphs. Use a bar graph to compare amounts, such as the bottles used by four classes. Use a line graph to show how something changes over time, such as the bottles collected each day in a week. Use a pie chart to show parts of a whole. A good graph has a title that says what it shows, labels on the sides that say what the names and numbers mean, and colours that are easy to tell apart. In a spreadsheet you choose the type of chart, its colours, its layout, and add a title and labels from the chart tools. Always check the numbers before you make it look pretty.
Worked examples
Look at the bar graph: Class C used the most bottles (15) and Class B the fewest (8). The difference between them is 15 − 8 = 7 bottles. A bar graph makes comparing easy.
Mariam counts the bottles collected each day: Sunday 6, Monday 9, Tuesday 7, Wednesday 12, Thursday 10. A line graph shows the change. The highest point is Wednesday. From Tuesday to Wednesday the number goes up by 5 (12 − 7 = 5).
Karim’s graph has no title and no labels. Nobody knows if the numbers are bottles, cans or children. He adds a title, ‘Bottles used in a week’, and labels the sides. Now the graph can be understood without asking him.
Class activity
Choose and label a graph. Here is data: pupils who bring each snack to school: dates 8, bread 14, apples 10, nuts 6. First decide which graph type to use and why. Then on squared paper draw it with a title, labels on both sides and different colours. Next write three sentences about what it shows (the biggest, the smallest, the difference between two). Swap with a partner. Can they understand your graph without any help?
Practice
1
Which graph compares the amounts of four different things?
A bar graph.
2
Which graph shows how something changes over days?
A line graph.
3
Name three parts of a good graph.
A title, labels on the sides, and colours that are easy to tell apart.
4
Look at the graph in this lesson. How many bottles did Classes A and D use together?
