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Data & Graphs

Sixth graders learn to turn data into pictures — and to pick the right chart for the job. Bar charts compare, line graphs show change over time, pie charts show parts of a whole. They match charts to their best use, then visualize real data.

Grade 6Data & Graphs50 minutes1 class periodCSTA / ISTEExplicit teaching4 StandardsCSTA
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Lesson at a Glance

Everything you need before the bell rings

Learning Objectives

Students will be able to…

  • ✓Read common charts.
  • ✓Match a chart to its best use.
  • ✓Visualize data.
  • ✓Draw a conclusion.
Essential Question

How do you choose the right chart to tell a data story?

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Lesson Phases
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Vocabulary Terms
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Standards Aligned
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Interactive Task
Match It · Interactive

Match the Chart to Its Job

Project this and match each chart to what it does best — tap the chart, then tap the use.

📊 Match each chart to its best useTry it
Chart
Best use
Now tap the best use!
The Lesson · Use → Modify → Create (a coding progression with Unplugged practice)

50 minutes, five moves

Tap any phase to open the teacher moves and student actions.

1

Hook — Pictures of Numbers

6 min

Would you spot a trend faster in a table or a graph?

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Show the same data two ways.
  • Ask which is clearer.
  • Set the goal.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Look.
  • Guess.
  • Get ready.
2

Use — Data & Graphs

12 min

Students use charts.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Send students to Match the Chart.
  • Match each one.
  • Note each chart’s job.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Match.
  • Say.
  • Note it.
3

Modify — Switch the View

13 min

Students modify.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Put data in a bar chart, then a line graph.
  • Pick which fits better.
  • Say why.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Chart.
  • Pick.
  • Say.
4

Create — Visualize

13 min

Students create.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Collect quick class data.
  • Choose the right chart.
  • Draw it and label axes.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Collect.
  • Choose.
  • Draw.
5

Reflect — Reflect

6 min

Students close.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Match a chart to a use.
  • State one finding from data.
  • Complete the exit ticket.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Match.
  • State it.
  • Complete the exit ticket.
Standards Alignment

Built to the standards you report on

Aligned to the CSTA K-12 Computer Science Standards and the ISTE Standards for Students.

CSTA
2-DA-08

Collect data and use tools to create visualizations.

CSTA
2-DA-09

Use data to make inferences and predictions.

CSTA
2-DA-07

Represent data using multiple encoding schemes.

ISTE
3 Knowledge Constructor

Evaluate and organize information.

Differentiation

One lesson, every learner

Multilingual Learners

ELL / EMERGING READERS
  • Chart-type picture cards.
  • Frame: “a ___ chart is best for ___.”
  • Read graphs aloud.

Support & Access

IEP / 504
  • Start with bar vs line.
  • Match one pair at a time.
  • Use pictures.

Stretch & Extend

GIFTED / EARLY FINISHERS
  • Make the same data in 2 charts.
  • Add a title & axis labels.
  • Write a conclusion.
Materials

What to gather

  • 📽️Screen / board
  • 📊Chart cards
  • 💻Match the Chart to Its Job
  • 📈Graph paper / sheets
  • 📓Notebooks
  • 🎫Exit-ticket slips
Vocabulary

Key terms — hover for a quick definition

datafacts and numbers you collectcharta picture of databar chartcompares amounts across groupsline graphshows change over timepie chartshows parts of a wholeaxisa labeled side of a graphtrenda pattern in data over timevisualizationa visual way to show data
Evaluate

Exit Ticket

Preview the three formative checks. Tap “Sample answer” to see what mastery looks like — hide them before you print for students.

QUESTION 1
Which chart best shows change over time?
A line graph.
QUESTION 2
Which chart shows parts of a whole?
A pie chart.
QUESTION 3
Which chart best compares amounts across groups?
A bar chart.

Reflect: data & graphs.

Have students pick the best chart for a question they care about. A printable data & graphs worksheet is in the Computer Science library.

Study · Flashcards

Study the key terms

Tap a card to flip it, then rate whether you knew it. Built from this lesson’s vocabulary.

🃏 CS Data and Graphs (Grade 6)Flip
Card 1
Term
Tap to flip →
Meaning
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Practice · Quiz

Check your understanding

A quick self-check with instant feedback, drawn from this lesson’s key terms.

📝 CS Data and Graphs (Grade 6)Quiz
Score: 0
1 / 6
Question 1
0%

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Practice · Worksheet

Printable worksheet

A print-and-go review sheet with a built-in answer key. Tap “Show answer key” to reveal answers, or print the clean version for students.

🖨️ CS Data and Graphs (Grade 6)Print
Name: ________________________
Date: ____________

Part A · Write the word that matches each meaning

Word bank: axis, bar chart, chart, data, line graph, pie chart, trend, visualization
  1. a picture of data
  2. a visual way to show data
  3. shows change over time
  4. a pattern in data over time
  5. facts and numbers you collect
  6. compares amounts across groups
  7. shows parts of a whole
  8. a labeled side of a graph

Part B · Show what you learned

  1. Which chart best shows change over time?
  2. Which chart shows parts of a whole?
  3. Which chart best compares amounts across groups?
Answer key — Part A: 1) chart · 2) visualization · 3) line graph · 4) trend · 5) data · 6) bar chart · 7) pie chart · 8) axis
Part B: 1) A line graph. 2) A pie chart. 3) A bar chart.