May 1998

Author:  Susan VanDyke

JELLY BEAN GRAPHING

GRADE LEVEL: 2nd

GOALS:

  • Collecting, organizing, and describing data based on real life situations.
  • Constructing, reading, and interpreting data in charts, graphs, tables, etc.
  • Predicting outcomes based on probability of same chance, more likely, or less likely.

OVERVIEW: Students will encounter many graphs in everyday life. This lesson develops skills in reading and interpreting graphs.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this lesson is to provide a fun and exciting way to learn graphing skills. Students will

Discover what color of "Jelly Bean Candy" is found more often than any other in two 15 oz. bags of Jelly Bean Candy

OBJECTIVES: Students will be able to:

  1. Sort and classify.
  2. Record data on chart.
  3. Use data from chart to create a bar graph.
  4. Analyze and interpret data
  5. Use data to determine probability.
  6. Create a printed bar graph using the Microsoft 4.0 Works Tools Spreadsheet.

RESOURCES/MATERIALS:

Two 15 oz. bags of "Jelly Bean Candy"
Styrofoam cups
Drawing paper
Crayons and markers
Chalkboard
Microsoft Computer 4.0 Works Tools.

ACTIVITIES AND PROCEDURES:

  1. Give each student one small cup of Jelly Beans.
  2. Ask students to sort and classily the Jelly Beans according to color.
  3. After demonstrating pictograph, ask students to create their own pictograph.
  4. Have students discuss the difference and similarities of the graphs.
  5. Have students work in groups of 4-6 students to combine data.
  6. Demonstrate a bar graph, and then ask the groups to illustrate and color a bar graph using the new figures. Compare this graph to the individual pictographs.
  7. Ask the groups to combine all the data to create a class chart. Round the numbers to the nearest ten for ease in creating a bar graph. Create a rough draft of the chart together on the board.
  8. Use the information to assist the students in creating a printed bar graph with the Microsoft 4.0 Works Tools Spreadsheet
  9. The student can use the chart to predict the probability of selecting one color at random from two 15 oz. bags of Jelly Bean Candy. Allow students to eat the Jelly Bean Candy.

TYING IT ALL TOGETHER:

Students can use charts and graphs to predict probability and develop decision-making skills. The Concepts of graphing and probability are better understood using a hands on approach, which can be applied to other problem-solving situation.

EVALUATION:

  1. Teacher Observation
  2. Student participation 

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