Using the graphs and data app for data reading practice

Data questions ask students to coordinate labels, values, scales and sometimes symbols or tally marks. If they rush to the first number they see, the answer can be disconnected from the display.

The Daily Maths Review graphs and data app keeps the display visible while students answer read-value, compare, total, most-or-least and tally questions. That makes it useful after the class has already discussed how to read the graph or table.

Start with the display

Before students answer, ask them to name the display type. Are they working with bar graphs, pictographs, tables or tally tables? This short pause helps students look for the scale, key, labels or grouped tally marks before they calculate.

• Use read-value questions when students are learning a display type.
• Use compare questions when students can find two category values accurately.
• Use total questions when students need to combine values from the display.
• Use most-or-least questions when the focus is interpreting the data.
• Use tally questions when students need more practice counting grouped marks.

Ask what the question is asking

Many data errors happen because the student reads the graph correctly but answers a different question. Reading values, making comparisons, finding totals and choosing the largest category are different actions.

Use errors to choose the next representation

If students miss bar graph questions, return to the scale and labels. If pictographs are difficult, count the symbols and discuss the key. If tally questions cause errors, group the marks in fives before returning to independent practice.