Between picture graphs, bar graphs, and tally charts, there is a lot of information to cover when teaching graphing for 1st graders! However, this topic can be simple to teach by relying on the skills your students already have! Here are some easy ways to help students when teaching graphing for first graders!
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Skills That Students Need To Learn Graphing for 1st Graders
Graphing for 1st graders consists of many other math skills! For example, your students will be able to practice counting, adding, subtracting, and grouping while they learn about graphing.
However, because this is a new skill, you may need to differentiate the lessons for your students. Each of my lesson plans comes with differentiated lessons to help students below, at, and above grade level learn this new skill!
How To Teach Picture Graphs
For many students, using visuals and images can help them understand the concept of graphing much easier. That is where using picture graphs comes into play!
In this Math on the Spot video, students can learn how to read a picture graph. It goes over how to read a graph key and breaks down the steps to solving a picture graph problem.
Additionally, having students make their own picture graphs can help them understand this concept better. By giving them pictures of different items, you can have them sort the items into different categories and then count up how many of each item is on the graph. This could also be a good opportunity to challenge students by asking them to add different categories together or getting them to come up with their own question.
How To Teach Bar Graphs
Bar graphs teach students how to organize and display data. This is a great way to make graphing for first graders fun and personal to the class!
For example, you can teach this skill by surveying students with different categorized questions. You could ask them how many people are brought a lunch from home vs. are eating in the cafeteria, how students get to and from school, their favorite ice cream flavors, or which sport is their favorite. Write down the data so all can see it, and then have the students create their own bar graph with the data!
You can also give students a bar graph and have them answer questions to interpret the data. Being able to create and interpret graph information are two different but equally important skills to learn!
How To Teach Tally Charts
Tally charts are an easy way to learn about gathering data! There are so many great ways to teach this concept.
For example, one of the fun ways to teach graphing is by reading the book, Tally O’Malley. In this story, a girl and her family play a road trip game to see who can find the most cars in their chosen color. Not only does this story introduce the skill of drawing tally marks and creating tally charts, but it also gives you a fun way to practice! This fun activity gives students an opportunity to record data in a real life scenario that they can relate to. You can have students create their own tally chart and mark down how many cars each family member sees throughout the story.
Creating tally charts is all about counting and compiling data. By creating fun examples and games, you can make this concept even easier for students to understand! The most important thing to consider when teaching tally charts is to allow for independent practice so students can cement their learning of this important skill.
Make Learning Graphing For 1st Graders Fun
Making lessons fun by playing games is important, and teaching different kinds of graphs to 1st graders is no different! That’s why it’s important to include math activities that engage students and put them at the forefront of their own learning.
In my First Grade Graphing bundle, you get everything you need, from detailed daily lesson plans to fun practice activities. There are great options for all levels of students and the activities can be used in small groups or as morning work, homework, or review. This bundle is teacher-friendly and takes out the majority of the prep work so you can easily start teaching this concept to your students!
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If you liked this product, you may also like:
Addition Games For First Graders
Counting Coins For First Graders
Back To School– Math and Literacy Centers
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