Measurement, Space & Statistics
Collecting and Displaying Data
Year 1 · Year 2
- ✓By the end of this lesson students will be able to collect data using simple methods like surveys and observations.
- ✓By the end of this lesson students will be able to organise collected data using tally marks.
- ✓By the end of this lesson students will be able to construct simple picture graphs to display data.
- ✓By the end of this lesson students will be able to construct simple column graphs to display data.
- ✓By the end of this lesson students will be able to interpret and answer questions about simple data displays.
Key concepts
Data is information or facts that we collect about something. For example, the favourite colour of your friends, or how many pets people have.
This is how we gather information. We can collect data by asking questions (a survey), by watching and counting things (observation), or by measuring.
Tally marks are a quick way to count and record data. We draw a line for each item. When we get to the fifth item, we draw a line across the previous four lines to make a bundle of five. This makes it easy to count in groups of five. For example:\n* 1 = |\n* 2 = ||\n* 3 = |||\n* 4 = ||||\n* 5 = |||| (a bundle of five)
A picture graph uses pictures or symbols to show data. Each picture usually represents one item. It needs a title and labels to show what each picture means.
A column graph uses columns (or bars) to show data. The height of each column tells us how many of that item there are. It needs a title, labels for the categories, and a scale to show the numbers.
This means understanding what the data display (like a graph) is telling us. We look at the graph to find out things like which item is most popular, which is least popular, or how many of a certain item there are.
Key facts to remember
- 1Data is information we collect.
- 2We can collect data by asking questions (surveys) or observing and counting.
- 3Tally marks are a fast way to count in groups of five.
- 4Picture graphs use pictures to show data, where each picture usually means one item.
- 5Column graphs use columns to show data; the height of the column tells us the number.
- 6All graphs need a title so people know what they are about.
- 7Graphs help us understand information quickly and easily.
Worked examples
Example 1
Ten students were asked about their favourite animal. Here are their answers: Cat, Dog, Dog, Cat, Fish, Dog, Bird, Cat, Fish, Dog. Collect this data using tally marks.
Answer
Cat: ||| (3)\nDog: |||| (4)\nFish: || (2)\nBird: | (1)
Tally marks help us count quickly and accurately, especially for larger numbers.
Example 2
Using the data from Example 1 (Cat: 3, Dog: 4, Fish: 2, Bird: 1), create a picture graph.
Answer
**Favourite Animals of 10 Students**\nCat: ★★★\nDog: ★★★★\nFish: ★★\nBird: ★
Make sure all your pictures are the same size and clearly represent one item.
Example 3
A class counted how many different coloured pencils they had. Red: 5, Blue: 3, Green: 6, Yellow: 2. Create a column graph to display this data and answer: Which colour pencil is there the most of?
Answer
(Column Graph: "Number of Coloured Pencils" with Red column up to 5, Blue up to 3, Green up to 6, Yellow up to 2)\nThe colour pencil there is the most of is Green.
The columns should be separate for discrete categories like colours. Make sure your scale on the number axis is clear.
Common mistakes
- ✗Forgetting to give the graph a title.
- ✗Not making the tally marks correctly (e.g., not crossing the fifth mark to make a bundle of five).
- ✗Drawing pictures in a picture graph that are not all the same size or do not represent the same value (e.g., one picture means 1, but another means 2).
- ✗Not labelling the categories on the graph (e.g., not writing "Cat", "Dog" on a picture graph).
- ✗Counting incorrectly when collecting data or reading a graph.
Exam tips
- ★Always read the question carefully to understand what data you need to collect or display.
- ★Make sure your graph has a clear and descriptive title.
- ★Label all the parts of your graph clearly so everyone can understand it.
- ★Count very carefully when you are making tally marks or drawing columns/pictures for your graph.
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