Are you looking for easy graphs for first graders? Then you are in the right place! Graphing activities are highly engaging and don’t have to take up too much time on the teacher end. In this post, I will give ideas for graphs as well as break down how I teach graphing in my first grade classroom.
Why Use Graphs with First Graders?
If your math curriculum is anything like mine, then data collection usually occurs towards the last part of the year and doesn’t include too many lessons. In fact, my math curriculum only has 3 lessons on data and graphing! I use graphs weekly in my first grade classroom because they are engaging for students, promote class community, and provide my students with the opportunity to analyze data. This skill is so important and can be developed with thoughtful questions. Just as we build number sense with our students, we must also grow their data sense. By doing this, we will promote their statistical literacy.
How To Teach Graphs for First Grade
In order to make it easier on myself and fit graphing into our math schedule, I focus on something different four days out of the week. This allows me to stretch out an activity of the course of a week and get the most bang for my buck in terms of time.
Monday– Data Dump
Every Monday, students are presented with a question of the week. During our morning meeting, I read the question to students and they place their response on the class graph. Sometimes, we collect the data on chart paper and it becomes an anchor chart and other times, we collect our data in a pocket chart. When using a pocket chart, I just write the question of the week on a sentence strip. I like to keep small sticky notes on hand which makes collecting student responses super easy.
Tuesday– Graph It
On Tuesdays, students create a graph with our data. Sometimes, I use a printable for students to complete. The printables can be completed during our whole group time, in small groups, at a math center, independently, or with a partner.
Other times, students make a graph during our math talk. Students use a dry-erase pocket to complete a blank graph. On the blank graph, students can make a bar graph or pictograph. I like to make sure they have experience with both types of graphs.
Thursday– Graph Talk
This is my favorite graph activity of the week! I usually lead a whole group discussion During our graph talks, I focus on statistical analysis of the data. This is so important. I teach my students that data is collected with a purpose in mind. If you are interested more in this strategy, check out this post.
Friday– Graphtivity or Writing Extension
On Fridays, at least once a month, I like to do an art component with my students related to our graph. It could be a graph topper or a directed drawing. My students love to make a project to go with their graphs! I put them up on our bulletin board and save them each month. At the end of the year, my students have an awesome math memory book to take home!
On Fridays I don’t do a related art project, I usually have my students do some sort of writing prompt to go with our graph. Sometimes, it is a simple math journal entry where they write about the data using the terms greater than, less than, more, fewer, or the same. Other times, I have them write a narrative or how-to to go with their graph.
Simple Graph Ideas for First Grade
Making graphs with your students doesn’t have to be hard. First, start with a survey question. Some ideas for questions are to ask about favorites such as favorite color, animal, ice cream flavor, etc. Ask questions that have a number response such as letters in your name, number of pets, etc. You can also turn your monthly writing prompts into questions for class graphs. For example, if the writing prompt is “What do you like to do in the winter,” you can change it to “What is your favorite Winter Activity?” Give students three answer choices and then record their responses!
As you can see, using graphs for first graders in the classroom can be easy! When my students get to our data unit in our math curriculum, they are so good at interpreting the data since they have had so much practice. Give this graph routine a try in your classroom and let me know how it goes! If you are looking for some more graphing lessons, you can find some in my TpT store here.
