Data and Graphs: Recording Life Cycle Changes

Learn

When scientists observe life cycles, they collect data. Data are facts and numbers about what we observe. We can organize data in tables and show it in graphs to help us see patterns.

What Is Data?

Data is information we collect. When studying life cycles, data might include:

How tall a plant grows each week
How many days until a caterpillar becomes a chrysalis
How many leaves a plant has
The size of a tadpole over time

Using Tables to Organize Data

A table puts information in rows and columns so it is easy to read. Tables help us:

Keep our data organized
Compare information from different days
Find information quickly

Using Graphs to Show Data

A graph is a picture that shows data. Graphs help us:

See patterns and changes
Compare different things
Understand data at a glance

Types of Graphs for Second Graders

Picture Graph: Uses pictures or symbols to show data
Bar Graph: Uses bars to compare amounts
Line Graph: Shows how things change over time

Examples

Example 1: Data Table for Plant Growth

Week	Height (cm)	Number of Leaves
Week 1	2 cm	2
Week 2	5 cm	4
Week 3	9 cm	6
Week 4	14 cm	8

What we can learn: The plant grew taller each week. It also grew more leaves over time.

Example 2: Picture Graph - Butterfly Life Cycle Stages

How many days in each stage?

Egg: * * * * (4 days)

Caterpillar: * * * * * * * * * * * * * * (14 days)

Chrysalis: * * * * * * * * * * (10 days)

Butterfly: * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * (20+ days)

Each * = 1 day

Example 3: Reading a Bar Graph

Plant Heights in Our Class Garden

Sunflower: |||||||||| (10 cm)

Bean plant: |||||||| (8 cm)

Tomato: |||||| (6 cm)

Marigold: |||| (4 cm)

Each | = 1 cm

Question: Which plant is tallest?

Answer: The sunflower is tallest at 10 cm.

Practice

Use the data table and answer the questions.

Tadpole Growth Data

Week	Body Length (cm)	Tail Length (cm)
Week 1	1	2
Week 2	2	3
Week 3	3	3
Week 4	4	2

1. How long was the tadpole's body in Week 1?

A) 1 cm B) 2 cm C) 3 cm D) 4 cm

2. In which week was the tail the longest?

A) Week 1 B) Week 2 C) Week 3 D) Week 4

3. What happened to the body length from Week 1 to Week 4?

A) It got smaller B) It stayed the same C) It got bigger D) It disappeared

4. What happened to the tail from Week 3 to Week 4?

A) It got longer B) It got shorter C) It stayed the same D) It turned green

5. What is data?

A) A type of animal B) Information we collect C) A science tool D) A drawing

6. Why do scientists use tables?

A) To eat lunch on B) To organize and compare data C) To sit at D) To build things

7. A picture graph uses _____ to show data.

A) numbers only B) words only C) pictures or symbols D) sounds

8. Look at the plant growth table in the Examples. How many leaves did the plant have in Week 3?

A) 2 B) 4 C) 6 D) 8

9. Which type of graph is best for showing how something changes over time?

A) Picture graph B) Bar graph C) Line graph D) Circle graph

10. A student measured a bean plant every day. On Monday it was 3 cm. On Friday it was 7 cm. How much did it grow?

A) 3 cm B) 4 cm C) 7 cm D) 10 cm

11. What can graphs help us see?

A) Colors B) Patterns and changes C) Sounds D) Smells

12. In the tadpole table, which week shows the body and tail were the same length?

A) Week 1 B) Week 2 C) Week 3 D) Week 4

Check Your Understanding

Think about these questions to make sure you understand data and graphs.

Can you explain what data is in your own words?
Why is it helpful to put data in a table?
What is one thing you can learn from a graph?
What kind of data would you collect if you were studying a growing sunflower?

Next Steps

Practice making your own data table for something you observe at home
Try drawing a picture graph to show your data
Continue to the next lesson to learn how to write about your findings