Grade: Grade 3 Subject: Mathematics Unit: Data & Graphs SAT: ProblemSolving+DataAnalysis ACT: Math

Creating Graphs

Graphs are like pictures that tell a story with numbers! In this lesson, you'll learn how to collect information, organize it in a table, and create your very own bar graphs. Let's become graph makers!

What is a Graph?

A Graph Shows Information with Pictures!

A graph is a special drawing that helps us see and compare numbers quickly. Instead of reading a long list, we can look at a graph and understand the information right away!

Why Make Graphs? Graphs make it easy to compare things. For example, you can quickly see which fruit is the most popular in your class just by looking at which bar is the tallest!

Step 1: Collecting Data

1 Ask a Question

First, think of a question you want to answer. Good questions for graphs include:

  • "What is everyone's favorite fruit?"
  • "How many sunny days were there each month?"
  • "What pet does each student have?"
  • "How do students get to school?"

2 Gather Information

Now collect your data! You can:

  • Ask your classmates questions and write down their answers
  • Count things you observe (like cars passing by)
  • Look at records (like weather reports)

Example: Favorite Fruits Survey

Mrs. Johnson asked her class of 20 students: "What is your favorite fruit?"

Here are the answers she collected:

Apple, Banana, Orange, Apple, Grapes, Banana, Apple, Orange, Apple, Banana, Grapes, Apple, Orange, Banana, Apple, Grapes, Banana, Apple, Orange, Banana

3 Use Tally Marks

Tally marks help you count things easily. Make one mark for each item. Every 5th mark goes across the other 4!

Apples: |||| || = 7

Bananas: |||| | = 6

Oranges: |||| = 4

Grapes: ||| = 3

Step 2: Organizing Data in a Table

A data table organizes your information in rows and columns. This makes it easy to read and use for making a graph!

Fruit Tally Marks Number of Students
Apples |||| || 7
Bananas |||| | 6
Oranges |||| 4
Grapes ||| 3
Total 20
Always Check Your Work! Add up all the numbers to make sure they equal your total. 7 + 6 + 4 + 3 = 20 students. That matches!

Step 3: Creating a Bar Graph

Now comes the fun part - turning your table into a colorful bar graph!

1

Draw the Axes

Draw two lines - one going up (vertical) and one going across (horizontal)

2

Choose a Scale

Decide what numbers to use on the side (like 0, 2, 4, 6, 8...)

3

Label the Axes

Write what each axis shows (Categories on bottom, Numbers on side)

4

Draw the Bars

Draw bars that reach up to the right number for each category

5

Add a Title

Write a title at the top that tells what the graph is about

Favorite Fruits in Our Class
Number of Students
0 2 4 6 8
7
Apples
6
Bananas
4
Oranges
3
Grapes
Type of Fruit

Labeling Your Graph

Every good graph needs these parts:

Title

The title goes at the top and tells what the graph is about. A good title is like a headline - it should tell people exactly what they're looking at!

Good titles:

  • "Favorite Fruits in Mrs. Johnson's Class"
  • "Number of Sunny Days Each Month"
  • "How Students Get to School"

Not-so-good titles:

  • "My Graph" (doesn't tell what it's about)
  • "Fruits" (too simple)

Axes Labels

The horizontal axis (bottom line) shows the categories - the things you're comparing.

The vertical axis (side line) shows the numbers - how many of each thing.

For our fruit graph:

Bottom axis label: "Type of Fruit"

Side axis label: "Number of Students"

Scale

The scale is the set of numbers on the vertical axis. Choosing a good scale is important!

Choosing the Right Scale

The scale you choose depends on your numbers. Here are some tips:

Small numbers (1-10)? Count by 1s: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5...
Medium numbers (10-50)? Count by 2s or 5s: 0, 2, 4, 6, 8... or 0, 5, 10, 15, 20...
Large numbers (50-100)? Count by 10s: 0, 10, 20, 30, 40...

Scale Selector Challenge!

The largest number in your data is 25. What scale would work best?

Build Your Own Bar Graph!

Enter numbers below and watch your bar graph appear!

My Favorite Colors Graph Maker

Enter how many students chose each color:

Favorite Colors in Our Class
0 5 10 15 20
5
Red
8
Blue
4
Green
3
Yellow
Favorite Color

Practice Problems

Answer these questions about making graphs!

Problem 1

When making a bar graph, which axis shows the categories (like types of fruit)?

Problem 2

Your largest number is 45. What would be the BEST scale to use?

Problem 3

What is the FIRST step in making a graph?

Problem 4

Look at this data: Dogs-8, Cats-6, Fish-3, Birds-5. Which pet is most popular?

Problem 5

What should every graph have at the very top?

Check Your Understanding

Using tally marks, how would you show the number 7?

Why do we organize data in a table before making a graph?

In a bar graph, how do you know which category has the most?

What We Learned

?

Ask Questions

Start by asking a question you want to answer with data.

||||

Collect Data

Use tally marks to count and keep track of information.

#

Make Tables

Organize your data in a table with rows and columns.

|

Build Graphs

Turn your table into a bar graph with axes, labels, and a title.

Remember the Graph Checklist:
  • Title at the top that describes the graph
  • Labels on both axes (horizontal and vertical)
  • A good scale that fits your numbers
  • Bars that match your data exactly

Next Steps

  • Practice collecting data about things around you
  • Try making a graph about your family's favorite foods
  • Look for graphs in books, newspapers, and websites
  • Challenge yourself to read graphs and make predictions!