Student/Class Goal

The weather and temperature ranges are

often part of adult learners’ conversations
TEMPERATURE BAR GRAPH and they want a better understanding of
graphs to help them make future decisions
in their everyday lives.

Outcome (lesson objective) Time Frame

Students will figure mean, median and mode using weather, temperature data, create a 45-90 minutes
bar graph charting one city’s high and low temperatures, and formulate three questions
based on that graph.

Standard Use Math to Solve Problems and Communicate NRS EFL 2-6

COPS Activity Addresses Components of Performance

Understand, interpret, and work with pictures, numbers, and Graphs and questions on those graphs will be created from
symbolic information. gathered temperature data.
Apply knowledge of mathematical concepts and procedures to Measures of central tendency (mean, median and mode) will be
figure out how to answer a question, solve a problem, make a calculated.
prediction, or carry out a task that has a mathematical dimension.
Define and select data to be used in solving the problem. Information will be represented correctly in both graphs and
questions.
Determine the degree of precision required by the situation. The graphs will use the data gathered appropriately, and all
elements will be labeled correctly.
Solve problem using appropriate quantitative procedures and Problems will be calculated accurately in order for others to
verify that the results are reasonable. answer formulated questions.
Communicate results using a variety of mathematical The activity’s main focus is to gather data and accurately represent
representations, including graphs, chart, tables, and algebraic it in a graph.
models.
Materials
Collection of newspaper weather pages
Calculators, graph paper, colored pencils, highlighters
Commercial Consumption Graph
Temperature Bar Graph Rubric
Temperature Bar Graph Learning Objects

Learner Prior Knowledge

Student will be familiar with terms and calculation of mean, mode, median from earlier classroom activities. Calculation may be
reviewed in class.

Instructional Activities
Step 1 - Discuss with students when they see or use graphs in their everyday life (bills, newspapers). Inform students how the GED test
includes many questions presented in graphic form. Have a newspaper weather page available to demonstrate. Ask the students if they
would rather read all the weather information included on that page in written paragraph form or to view it as graphs and charts. Ask
them to think about how easy the written form would be to read and understand.

TEACHER NOTE Talk about bar graphs and why they are effective. Bar graphs make it easy to compare totals that can be counted. They
are used to show how something changes over time or to compare items. Bar graphs have an x-axis (horizontal) and a y-axis (vertical).
The x-axis usually has numbers for the time period or what is being measured and the y-axis has numbers for the amount of times being
measure.

Step 2 - Instructor will demonstrate on overhead, chalkboard, or large piece of paper the key elements of a bar graph.
Pass out the bar graph example titled Commercial Consumption from the National Restaurant Association. Talk about the different parts
of this graph including:
Title, x-axis/y-axis and what each represents, scale, data, source of the graph including the year

Additional vocabulary will include perpendicular and parallel. Ask the class what conclusions they can reach regarding income and
eating out.

Step 3 – Students choose a United States or world city from the newspaper and note the high and low temperatures for each day in one
week. They will calculate the mean, median, and mode for both the high and low temperatures and calculators to verify their answers.

Step 4 - Using the data, graph paper, and colored pencils, they will create graphs representing that data (upper level students might
create a double bar graph). Make students aware of the criteria that will be used to assess their work. Distribute the Temperature Bar
Graph rubric and explain each component.

WRITING EXTENSION Each student will create three questions based on his or her bar graph for other students to answer. The questions
may be content related, mathematical or a combination.

Step 5 - Students trade graphs and questions. Have the students interpret the data and draw implications that allow them to correctly
answer the questions. A class discussion will be the final step. Students will reflect on their success and complete the rubric evaluating
his or her work.

Assessment/Evidence (based on outcome)

Instructor will monitor activity, noting accuracy, independence and fluency.
Graphs and questions will be collected and included in the student portfolio along with the rubric.

Teacher Reflection/Lesson Evaluation

Students enjoyed the activity and took more time than I anticipated drawing the graphs. Some wanted to take the graphs home to spend
more time on making them look better. The questions were varied. Higher-levels students wrote more complex question.

Next Steps
More practice with pre-GED or GED textbook or old practice tests problems in this area. Temperature Bar Graph Learning Objects will
give students additional practice interpreting bar graphs and temperature scales.

Technology Integration

Purposeful/Transparent
The GED test includes more graphs and charts then ever before. This activity will help the student prepare for material and questions in
this format. The teacher models the creation of the key elements of a graph.

Contextual
Everyday material comes to our students in the form of graphs and tables. This activity will build confidence in understanding this
information.

Building Expertise
Students are more likely to remember and understand something they have created themselves. This activity will increase their ability
to find average, median, and mode in other situations. Graphs may be a new concept for students or this activity may act as a review for
the group. Evaluating student’s prior knowledge will be an important part for teachers to do before presenting this information.
 Source: National Restaurant Association, Meal Consumption
Behavior, 2000

This graph shows that income is an important indicator of families eating commercially prepared
meals.

What is the title of this graph?

What number does the x-axis represent? The y-axis?

Who is more likely to dine out – Consumers with a household income of $75,000 or more or
consumers with a household income of $35-$44,000?

What generalization can you make regarding eating out and household income? Why?
 T e m p e ra tu re B a r G ra p h R u b ric

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re a d .

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a ttra ctiv e . C o lo rs th a t g ra p h p a p e r (o r a p p e a rs q u ite p la in . h u rry. L in e s a re
g o w e ll to g e th e r a re g ra p h in g co m p u te r v isib ly cro o ke d .
u se d to m a ke th e p ro g ra m ) a re u se d to
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p a p e r (o r g ra p h in g
co m p u te r p ro g ra m )
a re u se d .
 http://www.wisconline.org

Fahrenheit/Celsius Temperature Scales

Author: Terry Bartelt
School: Fox Valley Technical College Date: 4/14/2008
Description: Learners study the process of mathematically
converting temperatures between the
Fahrenheit and Celsius scales. A short quiz completes the learning object.
http://www.wisc-online.com/objects/index_tj.asp?objID=ELE3108

Reading and Interpreting Bar Graphs

Author: Francine Nettesheim
School: Northcentral Technical College Date: 7/10/2002
Description: Students identify the various parts of a
bar graph, read and interpret data presented in a
bar graph, and calculate the data to solve various application problems.
http://www.wisc-online.com/objects/index_tj.asp?objID=ABM3802

Melting Point and Freezing Point

Author: Dr. Martin McClinton, Debbie McClinton, Dr. Miriam Douglass
School: Brevard Community College, Fox Valley Technical College Date: 2/4/2005
Description: Learners observe that the melting of a solid and the freezing of its liquid occur at the
same temperature. The melting point is an intrinsic property and is used to identify a substance.
http://www.wisc-online.com/objects/index_tj.asp?objID=GCH4504

Temperature Bar Graph Learning Objects