Year 2
Maths
(Statistics and Probability)
Learning Experience Overview
We considered what a pictograph in Maths, actually was - charts that use pictures or symbols—like fruits, stars, or dots—to represent and compare different sets of data. Each image in the pictograph stands for a certain number, which is shown in the 'key' or 'legend' of the chart.
Our example has the title, ‘Favourite Colour’, and shows data in dots, for five different colours, displayed in columns. The important point in the key is that each dot represents 4 children, so that half a dot would represent 2 children. This task was differentiated by changing the value of the coloured dots. Individually, students had to decide what strategy they would use to calculate the sums for each of the colours, and the final total – skip counting, repeated addition equations, multiplication.
Learning Intention:
To use the key to interpret the values in a pictograph
Teaching Strategy: Modelled
WHOLE
To begin with, we came together to break down the meaning of our Learning Intention. Students were asked to consider the meaning of ‘pictograph’, and what one might look like. The importance of the ‘key’ as a tool for interpreting the data, was explained. The Favourite Colour Pictograph worksheet was introduced.
Understanding the Pictograph:
- What is the title or heading of the pictograph? (This provides context for the data)
- What does each symbol in the pictograph represent? (This helps understand the scale of the data)
- What categories or groups are being compared in the pictograph? (Identifying the categories helps understand the context)
- What questions can be answered using the information in the pictograph? (This encourages critical thinking about the data)
SMALL
Students were given a Favourite Colour Pictograph worksheet. The task was differentiated by changing the value of the coloured dots, either increasing or decreasing, so that the outcome of each student’s pictograph values, would reflect that.
The questions on the worksheet require students to interpret the data, by answering questions about it, and comparing values.
Interpreting the Data:
- How many of each item are represented by the symbols? (Understanding the scale is crucial)
- Which category has the highest or lowest value? (Identifying extremes helps understand the data)
- How many more or less of one item is there compared to another? (Comparing categories helps reveal relationships)
- What is the total number of items represented in the pictograph? (This provides an overall view of the data)
WHOLE
We came together again, to reflect on what we had learnt about the data and what strategies we had used, to calculate the totals.
Extending Understanding:
- How did the pictograph change when the value of each symbol was different? (This explores the impact of scaling)
- What other types of graphs could be used to represent this data? (This encourages comparison of different data visualization methods)
- What are the advantages and disadvantages of using a pictograph to represent this data? (This promotes critical evaluation of the chosen visualization)
- What real-world situations could this pictograph represent? (This connects the pictograph to practical applications)
- What conclusions can you draw from the data in the pictograph? (This encourages drawing inferences and interpretations)
- Can you describe any patterns you see in the data? (Looking for trends helps interpret the data)
Jocelyn and Steph
Year 2 Team