Grades K to 1 - Statistics and Probabilities (Data Analysis)

The sub-organizer contains the following sections:
Prescribed Learning Outcomes
Suggested Instructional Strategies
Suggested Assessment Strategies
Recommended Learning Resources

PRESCRIBED LEARNING OUTCOMES

It is expected that students will collect, organize, and analyse (with assistance) data based on first-hand information.

It is expected that students will:

Collect first-hand information by counting objects, conducting surveys, measuring, and performing simple experiments
sort objects to one attribute chosen by themselves or the teacher
construct a pictograph using one-to-one correspondence
compare data using appropriate language, including quantitative terms
pose oral questions in relation to the data gathered

To view the prescribed learning outcomes for Statistics and Probabilities (Data Analysis) in other grades click on an icon below.

SUGGESTED INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES

Making sense of data begins with children's experiences in collecting, sorting, and classifying objects and information. By exploring interesting questions posed by the children, and collecting and displaying data that address those questions, we help them to organize their thinking and to make predictions about the information. Students' progress over time from concrete to pictorial representation of data is an important step towards their understanding of the abstract nature of statistics.

Have children bring their favourite "bedtime buddy" (such as a stuffed animal) to school. As they examine each other's buddies, they can discuss the buddies' different attributes. For example:
- Is there more than one type of buddy? One colour? One size?
- How could we find out if there is more of one type than another?
- Can the buddies be sorted according to teddies and other animals?
- Does one group have more/less?
Ask how the buddies can be sorted or classified:
- How can the buddies be organized in a two-column real graph to show clearly how many more/fewer of each group there are?
- What will happen if we graph our buddies by colour? By size?
Have the children graph their buddies as suggested above as often as their interest permits. Have a class discussion about each graph.
Have children draw their buddies on a square piece of paper and place the drawings on a chart column to make a pictorial representation (pictograph) of their real graph. Discuss the graphs.
Using Unifix cubes to represent their choices, have children poll each other on their favourite food, game, and so on. Then have them present their findings to the class.

SUGGESTED ASSESSMENT STRATEGIES

To understand data analysis, children must be actively involved in collecting and displaying information. Assessment should focus on the children's ability to take part in the whole-group discussion, their ability to make sense of the data presented by their classmates, and their skill in posing relevant questions.

Observe

To what extent does the student show interest in collecting data for various purposes?
Is the student able to work independently or collaboratively to systematically gather data, organize objects, and create a graph?
What are the different ways that the student uses to sort and re-sort?
How does the student explain the graph? What kind of language is used? How much detail is given? How is the information organized?
How does the student explain why things are sorted in certain ways?
What kind of information is the student able to get from the graph?

Assessment Tools