COURSES : Transitional Math, Algebra 1, and Consumer Math

OBJECTIVES: SWBAT: (1) Identify the elements of a line graph and bar chart- (2) Manually plot data on both a line graph and bar chart; (3) Interpret Information from both a line graph and bar chart; (4) Use EXCEL, a spreadsheet application program, to display data obtained from the Internet in chart form; and (5) Have the computer generate a line graph and a bar chart based on the Internet numerical data displayed in the chart.

MATERIALS: Computer with Internet access, graph paper, EXCEL- a computer spreadsheet application program.

INTRODUCTION: Explain the elements of a line graph and a bar chart (see attached worksheets). Show students the X and Y axes and how to label the axes, Review with students the importance of choosing a scale for the X and Y axes that will clearly show the data. Tell students they will use the Internet to find data for the graphs, and then transfer the statistics onto a computer spreadsheet in the form of a chart using EXCEL. Finally, inform the class that they will witness how swiftly and easily the computer can generate the same line and bar graphs that they previously did by hand.

CLASSROOM ACTIVITY: Have students link onto the website of the Greenbay Packers, Inc. using the address Packers. com Students will be given the option to link onto another website of their choosing with my assistance should they have no interest in the Greenbay Packers--see * "Other Website Ideas"] Have students scroll down to the NFC Championship Games for the years in which the Greenbay Packers were an opponent to another team. This is the data set students will use to create their graphs (see attached data sheets). Tell students to label the X and Y-axes "Years" and "Point Spread," respectively. Students must then decide on a scale for both axes that will clearly show the data; that is, they are not to be misleading--a one-point scale differential would be the best choice here.

Have students find other numerical data on the Internet that would be ideal to represent

using a line graph or bar chart. Following are some sites to get them started, although they

may feel free to find other ones of interest to them.

CL4, World Factbook

URL: http://www.odci.gov/cia/publications/95fact/

ASSESSMENT: Assess the students on their ability to directly represent numerical data on line graphs and bar charts. How well did they explain the data on their graphs--That is, did they choose appropriate scales for their axes that clearly show the data? Assess them on their ability to find information from the Internet that could be represented on their graphs.

CLOSURE: Discuss with the class which method they prefer to use when displaying

Numerical data in graphs--by hand or by computer?