INTERACTIVE GRAPHS – LET’S MAKE GRAPHING MEANINGFUL

Alright, so I’m just going to jump right into the mix of it today.  Our kids have been struggling with graphing, hence this new collection.  Funny thing is that this idea has been in the works for more than two months.  I just couldn’t seem to finish it up until now.  But, hey, I’m chalking it up as a win in the packet department . . . better late than never, right??!!  

Here’s my thought process on Interactive Graphs.  I can be all over the place (my brain gets ahead of me at times), so I am going to pin it down right off the bat.  I wanted to create a collection of “out of the box” graphs that really get the kids involved and engaged in the graphing process.  Sure, the regular old graphing experience is great and still highly valuable.  However, I want to hook my babes into analyzing the data on a deeper level.  What better what better way to get their attention than hittin’ them with a new method. 

I am going to be honest here . . . you can run with any of these graphing experiences on your own (keep reading to learn specifics).  It ain’t all that hard to doctor a sheet of grid paper.  However, if you want it in a neat and pretty cute ready to go package, I have that option available.  

14 Total Different Graphing Experiences

In my packet, I offered multiple graphing experiences in different sections – On Me Graphs, Classroom Graphs, School Graphs, and Homework Graphs.  In addition, each graph comes with a set of differentiated data questions that can be asked orally or completed as a partner/independent follow-up.  

I have already tried many of these graphs with my crew and they received a “thumbs up” rating.  As you will see soon, they can be used as a stand alone activity or shrunk down to fit into interactive math notebooks (the kids really dig this . . . mine freaked out).

  
Let me tell you about two graphing exercises that proved to be absolutely dynamite during our LONG afternoon math block.  

POCKET GRAPH
Now, I heard Everyday Math has a pocket graph (I was bummed).  However, mine takes a new spin on graphing pockets — we graph everyday for a week! This graph has been a classroom favorite for years and this crew wasn’t any different.  Students count and graph the number of pockets they have on their bodies ever day (shirts, pants, etc).  You may even have them grab their jacket or sweatshirt!  I always love to watch them spin around and stick out their bums as they try and count their pockets.  It’s the little things in the classroom.  

By Friday the kids will be wearing clothes with as MANY pockets as possible. I guarantee it!! This year one babe walked in all proud of himself on Tuesday (we completed our first pocket graph on Monday).  He had this big old hunting jacket on and was grinnin’ from ear to ear.  It took me a minute to register, but when he kept opening the pockets, it finally dawned on me what he was trying to get across to me.  I immediately said, “Nice jacket, buddy.” He quickly replied in a hushed voice, “Don’t tell Mrs. Dolling . . . it has 10 pockets.” Now that’s what I call a graphing win.