Data Collection and Graphs

I used these worksheets with Year 2 and Year 3 classes. Pupils gained experience of using tally marks to collect information and then represent this data in the form of a graph. Depending on pupil abilities, I encouraged them to work individually, with a partner or in a guided group to complete these activities. There are also differentiated versions of some of these activities.

The worksheets included are;

1. Bag of cubes – used as an easy introduction to data collection and graphing, it requires pupils to be provided with a bag of mixed cubes to systematically tally according to colour and then complete the prepared graph.
2. Smarties easy – Always popular and creating great enthusiasm as sweets are involved! Two sheets, largely pre-prepared where pupils in pairs or small groups are given boxes (or 2 tubes) of Smarties, to predict what the most and least colour represented will be before collecting data and completing a graph of results.
3. Smarties mid – as above but the data collection grid and graph are in a minimal form requiring pupils to fill in the required details.
4. Smarties top – as above but data collection requires the use and interpretation of tally marks and the graphing sheet is purely a squared grid allowing more able to compile their graph from scratch.
5. Birthdays – Pupils use tally marks to record the birthdays of their peers (this needs to be done systematically and requires organising to avoid missing anyone or counting people twice!). Once collected they use either 5a. Birthdays Graph filled – a prelabelled graph format sheet or 5b. Birthdays Graph to fill – a basic, unlabelled graph format sheet to compile their graphs.