Data Analysis & Graphs | Parent Activity

Dear Families,

Your child is learning to collect, display, and interpret data using different types of graphs. These skills help children make sense of information they see in the real world - from weather reports to sports statistics! The activities below make data practice fun and practical.

Why This Matters for the FAST Test

The Florida FAST assessment includes questions where students must read pictographs, bar graphs, and line plots to answer questions. A common mistake is ignoring the SCALE - where each picture or each unit might represent 2, 5, or 10 items instead of just 1. Practice reading the KEY first!

Graph Types Your Child Is Learning

Pictograph: Uses pictures to show data. Check the KEY - each picture might mean 2, 5, or 10!
Bar Graph: Uses bars to show amounts. Check the SCALE - numbers might count by 2s, 5s, or 10s!
Line Plot: Uses X marks above a number line to show how often things happen.
Data Table: Organizes information in rows and columns.

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Activity 1: Weather Tracker

Create a bar graph of daily weather

Track the weather for 2 weeks. Each day, record: Sunny, Cloudy, Rainy, or Partly Cloudy.
At the end of 2 weeks, count how many days of each type.
Help your child create a bar graph with the data.
Ask questions: "Which weather was most common? How many more sunny days than rainy days?"
Predict: "Based on this data, what weather might we have tomorrow?"

Sample Data Table:
Sunny: 6 days | Cloudy: 3 days | Rainy: 2 days | Partly Cloudy: 3 days

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Activity 2: Family Survey Pictograph

Survey family members and create a pictograph

Choose a survey topic: favorite pizza topping, favorite season, favorite movie genre, etc.
Survey at least 10 people (family, neighbors, friends).
Organize results in a data table first.
Create a pictograph where each symbol = 2 people.
Ask questions using the pictograph: "How many people chose pepperoni?"

Key Concept:

If 7 people chose cheese pizza and each symbol = 2, you'd draw 3 full symbols and half a symbol (or round to 3 or 4). Discuss this with your child!

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Activity 3: Measurement Hunt

Measure objects and create a line plot

Find 10-15 small objects around the house (pencils, crayons, toys, etc.).
Measure each object to the nearest inch using a ruler.
Record the measurements in a list.
Draw a number line (use the range of your measurements, like 3 to 8 inches).
Place an X above the number line for each object at its length.
Discuss: "What length is most common? What's the longest? Shortest?"

Example: You measure 12 crayons. Their lengths are: 4, 4, 5, 5, 5, 5, 6, 6, 6, 7, 7, 8 inches.
The line plot would have 2 Xs above 4, 4 Xs above 5, 3 Xs above 6, 2 Xs above 7, and 1 X above 8.

Questions to Ask Your Child

"What does the KEY tell us on this pictograph?"
"How do we figure out the total if each symbol means 5?"
"What numbers does the scale count by on this bar graph?"
"How many more _____ than _____?" (comparing two categories)
"What can we learn from this graph that we couldn't see in just a list?"
"If we added another category, where would we put it?"

Resumen en Espanol

Analisis de datos y graficos: Su hijo esta aprendiendo a recopilar, mostrar e interpretar datos usando diferentes tipos de graficos. Estas habilidades ayudan a los ninos a entender la informacion del mundo real.

Tipos de graficos:

Pictograma: Usa dibujos. Revise la CLAVE - cada dibujo puede significar 2, 5, o 10.
Grafico de barras: Usa barras. Revise la ESCALA - los numeros pueden contar de 2 en 2, de 5 en 5.
Diagrama de puntos: Usa marcas X sobre una linea numerica.

Actividades en casa: Registren el clima por 2 semanas, hagan una encuesta familiar, midan objetos y creen graficos juntos.

Home Activity: Data & Graphs