Classroom Survey & Graph Creation Activity

Objective: Students will collect, organize, and represent data from their classmates using a self-created survey and graph.

Time Allotment: 30 minutes

Materials:

• Paper or whiteboard for survey question brainstorming
• Individual activity sheets (provided by teacher or students use their My Data Discoveries Journal)
• Pencils/markers/crayons
• Rulers (optional)
• Chart paper or large paper for graph creation (optional, for larger class graphs)

Part 1: Brainstorming Your Survey Question (5 minutes)

1. As a class, let's brainstorm some interesting survey questions. Remember, a good survey question has clear, limited answer choices.
   • Examples: "What is your favorite animal?" (with options like dog, cat, fish, bird, other), "How do you get to school?" (walk, bike, car, bus), "What is your favorite subject?" (Math, Science, Reading, Social Studies, Art, Music).
2. On your activity sheet or in your My Data Discoveries Journal, write down one survey question you want to ask your classmates. Make sure it has at least 3-5 clear answer choices.
   • My Survey Question:
     
     
     
     
   • My Answer Choices:
     
     
     
     

Part 2: Collecting Your Data (10 minutes)

1. Now it's time to become a data collector! Circulate around the classroom and ask at least 10 classmates your survey question. Make sure you only ask each person once!

2. As you collect answers, organize your data using a tally chart or a frequency table on your activity sheet.

   Response	Tally Marks	Frequency (Number)

Part 3: Creating Your Graph (15 minutes)

1. Based on the data you collected, create a bar graph, pictograph, or line plot (choose the best type for your data!).
2. Remember to include:
   • A clear Title for your graph.
   • Labels for both axes (if using a bar graph).
   • A Key (if using a pictograph).
   • A consistent Scale (if using a bar graph).
3. Use the space below or a separate piece of paper to draw your graph clearly and neatly.

My Data Discoveries Journal

Name: _____________________________

Date: _____________________________

Prompt 1: Becoming a Data Detective

What does it mean to be a "data detective"? Why do you think it's important to be able to collect and understand data in the real world? Give an example of how data might be used outside of school.

Prompt 2: My Classroom Survey Experience

Think about the survey question you created and the data you collected during the Classroom Survey & Graph Creation Activity.

• What was your survey question?
• What was the most surprising piece of data you found?
• What was the easiest part of collecting and organizing your data?
• What was the most challenging part?

Prompt 3: The Story My Graph Tells

Look at the graph you created. What "story" does your graph tell about your classmates? What conclusion can you draw from your data? If you were to do this survey again, would you change anything about your question or how you collected the data? Why or why not?

The Ultimate Class Data Report

Objective: Students will create a comprehensive report summarizing their data collection, organization, and interpretation skills, culminating in a presentation of their findings.

Time Allotment: Flexible (can be started in class and finished as homework or in subsequent sessions)

Materials:

• Your completed Classroom Survey & Graph Creation Activity (survey question, tally/frequency table, and graph)
• Your My Data Discoveries Journal (for reflection and ideas)
• Poster board, large paper, or digital presentation tool (e.g., Google Slides, if available)
• Markers, colored pencils, rulers

Your Mission, Data Detective!

Now that you've collected data and created a graph, it's time to compile your findings into an Ultimate Class Data Report! Your report will tell the story of your data, from the question you asked to the conclusions you've drawn. You will then present your report to the class.

Report Requirements:

Your report should include the following sections:

1. Title Page (or First Slide)

• A creative and catchy title for your report.
• Your name.
• The date.
• A visual element (drawing, picture, etc.) related to your data.

2. My Survey Question & Why I Chose It

• Clearly state your survey question.
• Explain why you chose this question. What were you curious about? What did you hope to learn?
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

3. How I Collected My Data

• Describe how you collected your data. (e.g., "I asked 15 classmates...")
• Show your original tally chart or frequency table from your Classroom Survey & Graph Creation Activity.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

4. My Data Graph

• Include a neat and accurate version of your graph from the Classroom Survey & Graph Creation Activity.
• Make sure it has a clear title, labels, and a key if necessary.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

5. What My Data Tells Me (Interpretation & Conclusions)

• This is the most important part! What did you learn from your data?
• Write at least three complete sentences explaining what your graph shows.
  • Examples: "Most students prefer...", "The least popular choice was...", "There were [number] more students who [answer] than [another answer]."
• What conclusions can you draw from your data? What's the main takeaway?
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

6. Reflection (Optional, but encouraged)

• What was challenging about this project?
• What did you enjoy most?
• What is one new thing you learned about data or graphs?
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Presentation Guidelines:

• Be prepared to share your report with the class.
• Speak clearly and make eye contact.
• Explain each section of your report.
• Be ready to answer questions from your classmates and teacher.