Learning Experience: Creating Pie Graphs Using Percents
Author: Denise M. Parmon
District: WCVCS
Learning Context: 6th Intermediate/ Elementary
Standards used: MST 2-1
MST 3- 2,3,4
This lesson was designed for math students of all ability groups.
Prior knowledge of fractions, percents, how to convert one to the other.
They will create a pie graph depicting a typical day during the school year.
Procedure
After the class has had instruction in fractions, percents, and how to convert one to the other they will then create a pie graph using Micro-Soft Works. The graph will show the percent of the day spent doing various activities. ( i.e. eat, sleep, play, school, etc.)
The topic will be introduced by reading a picture book, an example might be: Alexander and the terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day by Judith Viorst. See attached for other examples.
After a brief discussion of what was read we can then move into a discussion of a typical day for us.
The class will brainstorm the activities that are part of our day.
The group will go over the fact that a day has 24 hours and that all their activities have to add up a total of 24 hours.
The students will list the activities on a sheet of paper that they have folded into three columns labeled Activities, Fractions (representing hours out of 24), Percents.
Students will put the activities with the fraction; Sleep 8/24, Eat 2/24, etc.
Once they have all their activities and fractions listed they will convert each fraction to a percent by dividing the numerator by the denominator and multiplying by 100.
Students will then discuss the different types of graphs that could be used to display this information. Through guided discussion they will discover the advantage of using a pie graph to show this information. Once we have done this we will then do a circle graph together. Using the black line master we will review the degrees of a circle( 360) and then divide 360 degrees by 24 (hours in a day). Each hour will consist of 15 degrees. We will then construct a graph using a protractor and a ruler.
When this is completed they will find a computer to create their pie graph. Directions are attached.
Students can print their graph and compare the information to their worksheet and the graph they constructed. If both graphs and worksheet match they can then color their computerized graph using colored pencils. If they don't match they must find the teacher or teaching assistant to go over their work.
They will then come up with several questions about their graph to ask another student. Some questions might include: What activity takes up most of my typical day?; What activity takes up the least amount of our day? What total percent of the day is taken up by school?; What activities added together take up as much time as we spend sleeping? The children can brainstorm as many questions as the teacher deems necessary.
When completed the student will turn in their worksheet, questions, and graph. Once checked by the teacher the graphs and the questions can be passed out to different students in the class to be answered.
The students can also compare their graphs to that of another student.
Extensions
When completed they will turn in their worksheet and their graph.
Students can also show this information on other types of graphs in Micro-Soft Works and see why this particular type of graph is the best for this type of information.
This can also be extended by doing a graph on their own of a typical summer day, weekend day, holiday, etc.
They can also do a Venn- Diagram comparing the two. They can also write an essay about their days. There are many things you can do if you have the time.
Instructional/ Environmental Modifications
There should be no need for room modifications.
For any student with IEP's they may need a calculator to convert their fractions to percents.
If they need things read they will have to have someone read it to them. Teacher needs to be aware of student limitations and make necessary adjustments.
Time Required
Two 90-minute class periods should be sufficient.
Assessment Plan
The graph and worksheet will be turned in.
It will be graded using a simple three point Rubric: 3: Work/graph show a complete understanding of fractions to percents, organized and neat. 2 :Work/graph show some understanding of fractions to percents, somewhat neat and organized. 1: Work/graph show very limited understanding, much teacher help was needed, not very neat or organized: 0 Incomplete, not done, etc.
The student will also be responsible for the information covered on a teacher made test.
Resources
Students: protractors, rulers, paper, black line master of circle graph, etc.
Availability to computers with Micro-Soft Works.
Extra help in reading directions, computers, etc. if needed.
IEP modifications need to be observed.
Any art supplies necessary.
Teacher: information to help students.
Familiarity with MS Works to help students.
Reflections
This experience was designed to help students connect technology with math and the use of graphic representations of their day. They found the experience helpful in understanding how graphs can show much more easily some types of information. They also became more aware of when to use this type of graph. They spent a lot of time in science class using different graphs at the beginning of the year so this experience reinforced concepts covered earlier.
After doing this assignment I found it would be helpful to spend time as a group and organize their day into larger categories ie: dishes, vacuuming would be chores; breakfast, lunch, and dinner would be eating, etc. This would help them because then the graph would not have so many small slices that the computer has difficulty making and labeling so that it looks appealing.
Attachments
CREATING A PIE GRAPH
WITH PERCENTAGES
1. Login and go to WINDOW'S MICROSOFT WORKS
Create a new SPREADSHEET
Type your activities in COLUMN A
Type hours spent in COLUMN B
Use your mouse to highlight both columns
2. Click on TOOLS
Click on CREATE A NEW CHART
Select PIE from the type chart you want
Type in a title with your name
Click on OK
3. Click on FORMAT
Click on PATTERNS AND COLORS
Under colors select WHITE
Click on FORMAT ALL
Click on CLOSE
4. Click on EDIT
Click on DATA LABELS
Under 1st label click on CELL CONTENTS
Under 2nd label click on PERCENTAGES
Click on OK
5. Click on FILE
Click on SAVE AS
Change drive to H:
Type in File Name
Click on OK
Click on PRINT and LOGOUT properly
