Daily Temperature Chart

 

Suggested Time: 45 minutes

 

Behavioral Objective: Students will be able to create a bar and line graph using data taken from weather temperatures.

 

Maryland State Curriculum:

Standard 4.0 Knowledge of Statistics

  1. Data Displays

1.      Collect, organize, and display data

b)      Organize and display data to make tables using a variety of categories and sets of data

d)     Organize and display data to make single bar graphs using a variety of categories and intervals

e)      Organize and display data to make line plots using a variety of intervals

B.   Data Analysis

      1. Analyze data

         a) Interpret data contained in tables using a variety of categories and intervals

         c) Interpret data contained in single bar graphs using a variety of categories and intervals

         d) Interpret data contained in line plots using a variety of intervals  

 

Maryland Technology Literacy Standards for Students:

Standard 3.0 – Technology for Learning and Collaboration:

C. Increase Productivity

1. Use and explain how technology tools increase productivity

c) Collect, analyze, and display data and information using tools, such as calculators, spreadsheets, and graphing programs

e) Use various electronic information retrieval sources to obtain information on a given topic

Standard 6.0- Technology for Problem-Solving and Decision Making

A. Investigate Problems and Propose Solutions

            4. Analyze Data

  • Use electronic tools to analyze data                       

 

Resources Needed:

  • MS Excel
  • Weather temperatures for at least five days teacher may choose to use more
  • Weather Channel website ( if the teacher does not collect the data over a time period)

 

Links to Prior Knowledge: Students will need to have some knowledge of MS Excel, as well as be able to read a line and bar graph.

 

Procedures:

Before teaching this lesson the teacher will need to go to the Weather Channel website to find the last five days temperatures.

  1. Readiness Activity: Write a list of fives days temperatures on the board. Ask the students to look for information such as the hottest day, the coldest day etc. ask the students to give ways it might be easier to find the information asked. Explain to the students they will be using the computer create a chart using MS Excel to chart the weather temperatures over the last five days.

 

  1. Post the temperatures on the board

 

  1. The students will launch and open a blank MS Excel spreadsheet.

 

  1. Entering the Data
    1. Enter the labs, “Day”, “High”, and “Low” in cells A1, B1, and C1.
    2. Enter the days of the week in column A.
    3. Enter the high temperatures and low temperatures in columns B and C.

 

  1. Creating the Chart:
    1. Click and drag to select all cells that have information in them.
    2. Pull down the Insert menu to Chart.
    3. Choose the Line chart with markers
    4. Click the Next button twice to get to Step 3.
    5. Enter the title “Daily Temperatures”
    6. Enter “Days of the Week” on the x axis (explain that this is the horizontal axis)
    7. Enter “Temperatures” on the y axis (explain that this is the vertical axis)
    8. Click next
    9. Click as a new sheet
    10. Click Finish

 

  1. Creating another Chart:
    1. At the bottom of the screen click on sheet 1( you should have the data information displayed on your screen)
    2. Click and drag to select all cells that have information in them.
    3. Pull down the Insert menu to Chart.
    4. Choose Clustered Column
    5. Click the Next button twice to get to Step 3.
    6. Enter the title “Daily Temperatures”
    7. Enter “Days of the Week” on the x axis
    8. Enter “Temperatures” on the y axis
    9. Click next
    10. Click as a new sheet
    11. Click Finish

 

  1. Across the bottom of the screen you should see chart 1, chart 2, and sheet 1.

 


 You are able to view the different screens by clicking on the information below. You may assign the students to look at one graph or allow them to choose the graph to interpret.

  1. Once the students are finished, have the students complete the worksheet.

 

Assessment:

  • Observe students ability complete the MS Excel sheet
  • Completed worksheet

 

Follow-Up:

  • Have the students complete a graph using different data.

 

Accommodations:

  • For students who may not have trouble using MS Excel the teacher might want to complete parts of the chart.
  • The students could work with a partner to enter information
  • Students could only complete one type of graph.
  • Provide directions for students (copy, paste and print directions for students)
  • Modify worksheet for students

 

Extensions:

  • Add color, change font in chart
  • Find another city to record temperatures