Incorporating a well-loved candy is a great way to introduce primary students to simple bar graphs. Create and photocopy a blank grid to be used as a bar graph. Make sure there are enough columns for each color of M&Ms candy, depending on the variation. Distribute a blank graph to each student and model how to title a graph, label the axises and label each column with a color. Give each student a small pack of M&Ms. Instruct students to open the package and place the M&Ms on the graph -- one piece of candy in each box making a physical representation of the graph. After checking each student's candy graph, model how to move one M&M at a time and color in the box to create a bar graph. When completed, discuss the results.
Once students have been introduced to graphing, incorporate the skill into the daily routine to provide essential and frequent practice. As the class arrives in the morning, hang a large, blank graph at the front of the room. Provide any type of graph the class is working with -- bar graph, line graph, picture graph, etc. Each morning, post a graphing question near the blank graph, such as, "How do you get to school in the morning?" or "What is your favorite fruit?" Label the graph to match the question. As they arrive, students read the question and add their response to the graph. Once all students have responded, discuss the results. If desired, have students copy the results on an individual graph.
Graphs can show a set of data in multiple ways, depending on what the horizontal axis designates. Demonstrate the flexibility of graphs by inviting each student to bring in an apple of any variety. Once the apple collection is complete, gather students around a large, blank bar graph on the carpet. Try making the grid out of a shower curtain or butcher paper. Have students brainstorm how they can graph the apples -- by color, size, stem or no stem, type of apple, etc. Create various graphs by placing the apples on the graph and discuss how using different criteria changes the graph. Continue to try different graphs and discuss the results.
Coordinate graphing can be a difficult skill to master. Help students gain confidence with coordinates by playing this fun partner game. Create and photocopy a 6-by-6-inch grid to use as a game board. Label the lines with the numbers 1 to 6 (similar to number lines). Provide each pair of students with a game board, two dice and a set of small markers in two colors (cubes, M&Ms, coins, counters, etc.). Each student will use one color of the markers. Students then take turns rolling the dice and placing a marker on the intersection designated by the numbers on the dice. For example, if a student rolls a 3 and a 6, he may place his marker on the (3, 6) or (6, 3). The winner is the first player to have four markers in a row horizontally, vertically or diagonally.