Set up charts throughout the classroom. Before the beginning of the school year, record the students' birthdays on a calendar graph placed in a highly visible area. Put up a monthly birthday chart in the shape of a tree. For example, the month of September contains names and dates of the September birthdays on individual red and orange leaves.
Create a classroom picture graph. Give each student a cut-out crayon box pattern and have them write their names and favorite colors. Ask them to color the crayon box their favorite colors. When completed, compile them onto bulletin board to make a classroom crayon box picture graph. Place all reds in one column, all greens in the second column, and so on.
Give out a "Going Bananas" worksheet, which involves counting, coloring and grouping. For each day of the week, students must count the bananas that correspond with the monkey's eating routine. For example, under Wednesday, there are two bananas. The students must count the number of bananas, document it and color the picture. After completion, ask students to read the chart. This activity strengthens a student's accuracy and arithmetic abilities.
Document breakfast. Find out the three most popular cereals that your students eat every morning. Create three columns, each led by a picture of one of the cereal brands. Go around the classroom and ask each student to name his favorite breakfast cereal. Have one student draw a dash under the correct column each time a child picks a cereal. After everyone answers, have the students count each column separately and then count the grand tally of the entire chart.
Get feedback on their favorite stories. Label the tables where the children are sitting based on letters. For example, the first table or row near the window is Section A. Pick two popular stories and create two columns headed by the title and picture of each book. Ask the children to select their favorite story by a show of hands. If three out of five children from Section A liked the first choice, then one point goes to that choice. This method teaches the children how to distinguish majority voting and how document it on a chart.