Fourth graders can learn how to draw their own coordinate grid for graphing. A coordinate grid has perpendicular lines or axes. The horizontal axis, or line, is called the x-axis, while the vertical axis, or line, is called the y-axis. The places where the x and y axes intersect are called origins. Numbers are assigned to each axes, and an ordered pair is used to locate an origin. The origin is written as the number on the x-axis and the y-axis using parenthesis. For example, (2,3) coordinates depict the intersection of the second horizontal axis and the third vertical axis.
Bar graphs are similar to coordinate graphs and use the x and y axes to demonstrate data. Bar graphs show the data in easy-to-read vertical bars. Bar graphs convey information about something that is not simply a number, such as a comparison of favorite colors. In this example, children would name five colors and vote for their favorites. Bars on the graph would show the number of students who chose each color, with the tallest bar representing the most popular color.
Pie graphs are an easy pictorial way for fourth graders to understand percentages. Teachers can use a pizza as an example. Students can vote, by a show of hands, which toppings they enjoy. Then the teacher will "slice" the pizza into pieces depicting the percentages of favorite toppings.
Introduce graphing with a daily project. Place a thermometer outside, possibly in an outdoor classroom or playground area. Every morning, the class will go outside, check the thermometer and record the data. Using a coordinate grid, students then can plot the temperature changes day-to-day. Students can relate the temperature changes to other weather patterns and seasonal changes as well. Other daily graphing possibilities include snacks or even colors of students' clothing.