Title: Lesson Four: Determining Essential Data and Practicing Graphing

Developed By: Linda Riesterer

Overview: Students will experience creating and interpreting graphs.

Student Level: 8th grade science and math

Objectives: The student(s) will:

• know which graph is best to display which kind of data
• be able to create attractive graphs of data from science labs using a spreadsheet
• be able to create data tables using a spreadsheet and word processing
• be able to interpret data from a graph to answer questions and draw conclusions

All the lessons are done using AppleWorks. They can also be done using Word, but the student directions will have to be revised.

Materials:

• Paper with data and graph requirements
• Scoring rubric
• Computer with video projector

Procedures:

1. Give students the paper with the data and graph requirements
2. Tell students not all of the data they have been given is important or necessary. Choose only the information needed to graph the average time it took the ice cubes to melt with the different variables.
3. Verbally review how to make a data table and graph.
4. Circulate in the lab giving help and scoring students who have finished.

Additional Resources:

• Complete Lesson in AppleWorks
• Complete Lesson in Word/Excel