Counting And Graphing

Vernita Smith                  Mahalia Jackson Elementary School
                               917 West 88th Street
                               Chicago IL 60620
                               (312) 535-3341

Objectives:

This mini-teach has been designed for first and second graders.  You may alter 
it in any way to accommodate your grade level.  The main objective is to 
introduce counting and graphing to students in a phenomenological manner.  After 
completion of this lesson students should feel very comfortable with counting 
from one to twenty-five.  In addition, they will become familiar with two types 
of graphs: the pie graph and the bar graph. 

Materials Needed:

Average size classroom of 20-25 students.

1.  Crayons                          5.  Rulers-one for each student 
2.  Scissors                         6.  Tape measure
3.  2x2-Circles                      7.  Height chart
4.  Two 16 oz. bags of Skittles

Strategy:

Start out by asking students if they have ever eaten Skittles before?  (Answers 
will vary.)  Then have the students name the five different colors of Skittles. 
List them on the chalkboard.  Pass out the circles and let the students tell you 
what shape they have.  Ask how many Skittles do you think will fit on the 
circle?  (Answers will vary.)   Ten will fit.  Have them try it and record their 
answers on the pie graph.  The pie graph is divided into ten sections.  Student 
should color the graph according to the colors they actually have on their 
circle.  If a student has 3 reds, (color 3 slices red) 2 yellows, (color 2 
slices yellow), etc.  Then they can record their answers in a fraction, i.e. 
3/10, 2/10, 6/10.  Do the same procedure with the rulers.  Have students tell 
you how many Skittles will fit across a ruler.  Twenty-four will fit.  They will 
then fill out the bar graph according to the colors they have.  If students have 
7 greens (color 7 bars green), 10 oranges (color 10 bars orange), etc.  Lastly, 
they will guess how tall they are in Skittles.  Have each student stand near the 
height chart and have them  record their answers.  Each foot will be equal to 24 
Skittles.  Therefore, if the student is 3 feet tall, he/she is 72 Skittles tall. 

Performance Assessment:

When lesson is completed ask students if they enjoyed the activity.  Then let 
them tell you why.  (Answers will vary.)  From the pie and bar chart you can see 
the percentage of colors which showed up the most and the least.  With the 
height chart you can determine who is the shortest person and the tallest person 
in the classroom.