Towards the end of last year I ended up with a train wreck of a graphing lesson and I learned that I needed to do a better job from the start with creating graphs. I decided to take a graphing activity I’ve done in the past and make it more about all the things that are needed on graphs, rather than just practicing with the types of graphs.
I originally got the idea from a math teacher that used froot loops as a quick way for students to collect data and graph it. I took it a littler further and turned it into a bigger activity with several types of graphs. This year, I decided to use this as a first day activity to set my expectations for class and for graphs.
It ended up taking the majority of the class, but I used the time for several things. First, I spent time learning names, which is really important to me. We went through some simple graphing notes using TAILS DRY MIX to remember what every graph needs. Then, I used the time to set the expectations below:
- Read the directions you are given and following all the directions. For example, do not eat the activity supplies.
- Working on a task given a time limit; for example, we went over how to make a bar graph and then I gave them 5 minutes to work on theirs. I use my watch as a timer.
- While you work, you may talk to your group, as long as you keep working.
- Getting their attention back on me.
- Appropriate phone use when you need a calculator.
- Transitioning between activities.
- Where to turn in work when complete.
As first days go, it went well and we accomplished quite a bit. I will say that as I was walking around, I noticed quite a few things that weren’t done correctly. I had at least 2 that didn’t put numbers on their graphs at all! Next class, I’m going to give each student a rubric for our graphs and a sticky note to put with their papers. We’ll do a few peer edits and they’ll leave notes on the sticky notes. Everyone will have a chance to fix anything before turning the graphs back in to be graded.
Since this is our first graphing assignment, I model my expectations and explain it to them. As we progress, I’ll expect them to get better at doing it on their own.
If you are interested in doing the activity, click below to find links to the Google Doc or the PDF.
