Beacon Lesson Plan Library

Storybook Character Graph

Diane Reinstatler

Description

The students will come to school dressed as their favorite storybook character. Each will draw a self-portrait, place the drawing on a graph, and interpret the graph with the class.

Objectives

The student displays solutions to problems by generating, collecting, organizing, and analyzing data using simple graphs and charts.

Materials

-Markers
-4- x 3- pieces of drawing paper
-Paper large enough for a graph

Preparations

A. Cut 4- x 3- pieces of paper

B. Draw lines on large paper for graph

Procedures

A. Each student shows his storybook and tells the class which character he is.

B. Students draw a picture of themselves in their costume on 4- x 3- piece of paper.

C. Each child shares the drawing with the class as the teacher labels columns on the graph.

D. The child places the picure below the correct label.

E. The class reviews the data on the graph while the teacher guides the discussion posing such questions as:
--How many different characters are on our graph?
--There are more of which character(s)?
--Which characters did most of the girls (boys) dress as?
--Which characters did the fewest number of boys (girls) dress as?

Assessments

Formative assessment will be determined by the following criteria...
~correct placement of each child's picture on the graph (organization)
~answering questions about the data on the graph (analyzing)

Extensions

This math learning activity is used in my class in November as part of American Education Week. Previously we would have spent weeks exploring various children's authors and their books.

Extensions: graphing skills could be extended by using the following software: Jumpstart Kindergarten

To extend the learning activity:
The teacher could take a photograph of each student and use these on the graph already made or make another graph.
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