Bar Graph Explorers: Reading and Understanding Data!

Math Grades 1st Grade 2:56 Video
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Lesson Description

Learn how to read and understand bar graphs to answer questions about data. We'll explore different bar graphs and solve problems together!

Video Resource

Reading bar graph examples | Measurement and data | Early Math | Khan Academy

Khan Academy

Duration: 2:56
Watch on YouTube

Key Concepts

  • Bar graphs show data using bars.
  • The height of a bar represents a quantity.
  • We can compare the heights of bars to answer questions.

Learning Objectives

  • Students will be able to read and interpret bar graphs.
  • Students will be able to answer questions about data presented in bar graphs.
  • Students will be able to compare quantities represented in a bar graph using addition or subtraction.

Educator Instructions

  • Introduction (5 mins)
    Begin by asking students what they already know about graphs. Show them a simple bar graph and explain that today they will learn how to read them to find information.
  • Video Viewing (7 mins)
    Play the Khan Academy video "Reading bar graph examples | Measurement and data | Early Math | Khan Academy". Encourage students to pay attention to how the bar graphs are read and how questions are answered.
  • Guided Practice (10 mins)
    After the video, work through the examples in the video again as a class. Pause after each example and ask students to explain how they found the answer. Emphasize the connection between the height of the bar and the corresponding number.
  • Independent Practice (10 mins)
    Provide students with worksheets containing simple bar graphs and questions to answer. These graphs should represent familiar data like favorite colors, pets, or fruits.
  • Wrap-up (3 mins)
    Review the key concepts of bar graphs and answer any remaining questions. Briefly introduce the idea that they can create their own bar graphs using data they collect.

Interactive Exercises

  • Classroom Bar Graph
    Collect data from the class (e.g., favorite ice cream flavors). Create a large bar graph on the whiteboard or chart paper. Ask students questions based on the graph.
  • Online Bar Graph Game
    Have students play an online bar graph game (search for "1st grade bar graph games") to reinforce their understanding in a fun and interactive way.

Discussion Questions

  • What is a bar graph used for?
  • How can you tell which category has the most or least?
  • How do you find out how many more are in one category than another?

Skills Developed

  • Data Interpretation
  • Problem Solving
  • Comparing Quantities
  • Reading Comprehension

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1:

What does a bar graph use to show information?

Correct Answer: Bars

Question 2:

If a bar is very tall, does it show a little or a lot?

Correct Answer: A lot

Question 3:

Sunny buried 10 bones. Rover buried 3 bones. Who buried more?

Correct Answer: Sunny

Question 4:

If you want to find out how many students like apples more than bananas, what do you need to do with the bar graph?

Correct Answer: Read it

Question 5:

What was the weather like for 18 days in November?

Correct Answer: Sunny

Question 6:

How many students traveled by train?

Correct Answer: 5

Question 7:

If a bar graph shows favorite animals, and the bar for dogs is the tallest, what does that mean?

Correct Answer: Dogs are the favorite animal

Question 8:

Rover buried 3 bones and Buster buried 7 bones. How many more bones did Buster bury?

Correct Answer: 4

Question 9:

How many rainy days were there in November?

Correct Answer: 5

Question 10:

Which type of travel did the most students use?

Correct Answer: Airplane

Fill in the Blank Questions

Question 1:

A bar graph uses ______ to show information.

Correct Answer: bars

Question 2:

The ______ of a bar tells you how many.

Correct Answer: height

Question 3:

If a bar is short, it shows a ______ number.

Correct Answer: small

Question 4:

You can ______ bars to see which is bigger.

Correct Answer: compare

Question 5:

If one bar is much taller than another, it means there are ______ more of that thing.

Correct Answer: many

Question 6:

A bar graph helps you ______ information easily.

Correct Answer: read

Question 7:

If a bar graph shows favorite colors, and the bar for blue is the shortest, blue is the ______ popular color.

Correct Answer: least

Question 8:

The dogs, Sunny, Rover, and Buster buried ______ in the yard.

Correct Answer: bones

Question 9:

To find how many MORE rainy days than cloudy days, we ______.

Correct Answer: subtract

Question 10:

When you look at a bar graph, you can learn something new about the ______!

Correct Answer: data

Educational Standards

CCSS.Math.Content.1.MD.C.4:Organize, represent, and interpret data with up to three categories; ask and answer questions about the total number of data points, how many in each category, and how many more or less are in one category than in another. CCSS.Math.Content.1.OA.A.1:Use addition and subtraction within 20 to solve word problems involving situations of adding to, taking from, putting together, taking apart, and comparing, with unknowns in all positions, e.g., by using objects, drawings, and equations with a symbol for the unknown number to represent the problem.

Teaching Materials

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