Bubble Gum Graphs

To reinforce the concept of graphing, I came up with this quick yet fun assessment. The students were each given various number of dot stickers (the kind you use for garage sales). They placed the gumballs on their gumball machine template. They then had to count the number of gumballs for each color and record their findings on a table. Using the data on the table, they created a bar-type graph. On the bar-type graph, they had to label the title, the numbers, and the answer choices. They also had to answer questions based on the results of their graph. Fellow teachers, you can download this lesson my Teachers Pay Teachers store. I forgot to take a picture of their completed products but they turned out great!

 

Real Object Graphs: Apples

In math the students learned about various types of graphs: picture, bar-type, and real object. During one of the lessons, they tasted red, yellow, and green apples. They then decided which one was their favorite to place on a real object graph. After making the graph, they  talked with a knee-neighbor about the results. They then individually used the data from the real object graph to create a bar-type graph. They answered ten questions about the data to find what was the most popular type of apple, the least, etc.

Gumball Machine Graphing Download

You can now download the gumball machine and recording sheet that I created for my Gumball Machine Graphing lesson. You can download the templates from my TPT store.

Gumball Graphing

***UPDATE: The templates for this lesson are now available for download at my TPT store.***

As a way to assess the students' understanding of graphing, they each created a gumball machine using dot stickers for the gumballs. Each student was given a different amount of stickers and they had to count, tally, and chart how many of each color gumball that was in their machine. They then graphed their totals on a bar-type graph and answered questions about their data.

Apple Graph

The students recently took a taste test to see which type of apple they liked the best: red, yellow, or green. After choosing their favorite, they created a real object graph to see which type of apple was the most popular and which was the least popular. Using the data from the group real object graph, the students individually created a bar-type graph of the results. They then used the bar-type graphs to answer questions.

Real Object Graph: Shoes

During math the students have been learning about bar-type graphs, picture graphs, and real object graphs. To help them understand real object graphs, they sorted their shoes into two categories: with shoelaces or without shoelaces. They then worked together to create a real object graph to compare the groups.

Chrysanthemum Name Graphs

We recently read Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes. After reading, the students decorated their own name in bubble letters. They then counted how many letters are in their name. We then graphed the number of letters in each studnet's name to compare and contrast them. Their names were then added to our writing area as a name word wall.

Ocean Animal Graphing

To review graphing, the students took a survey of ten friends to see what their favorite ocean animal. We discussed that when making a graph, first you need to ask a question. Then you need to have some choices. Those choices need to be placed on a table where you can tally the results. The tally marks can then be transferred into a graph. Following these steps, the students tallied their friends votes, then graphed the results. They then compared their results to the other students at their table.

Pattern Block Fish

To review patterns and shapes, we read Pattern Fish by Trudy Harris and then the students created their own pattern fish. Fellow teachers, I received this particular pattern fish template from a former teammate but you can find similar patterns at PreKinders. The students had to find two different ways to fill in the pattern fish with foam pattern blocks and then they had to choose their favorite one to create with paper pattern blocks. The students then counted and graphed how many of each type of pattern block they used. The students compared the various different ways the fish could be filled using pattern blocks.

Polar Express Day

Last Friday the students were treated to a special story time in the library with our principal, Mrs. Oliver. Mrs. Oliver read The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg. The students were very comfy as they listened because it was also pajama day. Following the reading, the students enjoyed hot chocolate.

Garden Graphs

As a review of graphing, the students created a table to record data about how many plants of certain colors we would like to plant in a garden. The students were given the information verbally in which they had to put into a table using tally marks. The students then transferred the data onto a bar graph.

Family Graphs

In math the students have been learning to create and read tables and graphs. We have been learning about three types of graphs: real-object graphs, picture graphs, and bar graphs. To assess their learning, the students created a table on a foldable about their families. They tallied how many boys, girls, and pets are in their families. They then transferred the information from the table to a bar graph.

Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes

A few weeks ago we were reading various stories about school. One of the books we read was Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes - one of my favorites! As a part of the lessons, we talked about how Chrysanthemum was feeling and made connections to how we were feeling about starting school. We then extended the lesson by counting the letters in our names, just as Chrysanthemum's classmates do in the book, and compared how long our names are to hers. We then created a bar-type graph to record our findings. The students then created art with their names by coloring patterns on bubble letters. After they were completed, the students read the names as a group and clapped out the syllables. We then sorted the names according to the number of syllables in the names to create a real-object graph. Their artwork was then added to our classroom helper area as a name word wall.

First Grade Math Games

Each week our class visits the computer lab to practice our math skills. To make life easier, I created a Sqworl page of some of my favorite first grade math games. You can visit this page to have your students practice various games over addition, subtraction, skip counting, measurement, patterns, graphing, time, and more.

Computer Work Portfolios

Each week our class goes to the computer lab at least once. Because we usually go during our math block, our computer lessons tend to focus on math concepts. Below are a few movies that showcase the work the students have done this year in the computer lab. The students exported the pictures themselves and saved them to our school's shared drive. They are currently working on creating their own movies to showcase their individual work which will be uploaded to their KidBlog sometime next week.

Macaroni Graphing

After practicing our three types of graphs (real object, picture, and bar graphs) with apples, the students created their own graphs using macaroni. They then answered questions about their graphs.

Make a photo album

Apple Graphing

Last week we were learning about three types of graphs: real object graphs, picture graphs, and bar graphs. The students worked together to create the three types of graphs about their favorite type of apples. They then answered questions based on the graphs.

Math Tubbing

This six weeks I introduced Math Tubbing to the students. Math Tubbing is like Literacy Stations but with math content. Instead of going to a station, the students get a container filled with content-specific materials (games, books, manipulatives, etc.) that they can work on independently or in small groups. While the students are working on previously taught concepts, I work with small groups in Guided Math. In Guided Math we focus on the specific areas that individual students struggle in. The Math Tubs that the students are using right now include Number Recognition, Place Value, Graphing, Addition/Subtraction Operations, Shapes, Fractions, and Patterns. Students also have the opportunity to use our online computer program, First In Math. Below are some pictures of the students working with Math Tubs.

All Sorts of Graphing

Yesterday we explored and created three kinds of graphs: real-object, picture, and bar-type graphs. First the students voted on which type of cracker was their favorite: Teddy Grahams, Goldfish, or Animal Crackers. Goldfish crackers won by a landslide. After completing a bar-type graph together with this data, the students each got a cup full of the three crackers. Each student chose eight of the crackers at random to place on their real-object graph. The students loved comparing their graphs to one another. After completing their real-object graphs, the students replicated it using pictures. The students then went around reporting how much of each cracker they had in their cup to compare least, greatest, or equal to. Below a slideshow below of the students graphing:

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