Grade 3: Reading Data

Warm up with a quick recall on the board. Read the title, labels and scale first, then answer 'how many', 'most/least' and 'how many more' by reading and comparing the values.

Reading data is the skill of pulling information out of a table, chart or graph to answer questions, rather than making the graph yourself. It covers finding a single value, comparing two values, and combining values (totals and differences). It sits alongside making graphs and leads into questioning data critically. Model the method clearly, thinking aloud:

• Teach students to read the title, labels and key first, so they know what the graph is about and what the scale means.
• Practise finding one value: locate the category, then trace to the scale to read its number.
• Move to comparing: which is most or least, and how many more or fewer, linking how-many-more to subtraction.
• Combine values for totals across rows or bars, using addition.
• Sort questions into read-the-value, compare and calculate types, and match the step to the question type.

Work this through step by step on the board, then have the class talk you through a second one.

• Table of books read:
• Mon 3, Tue 5, Wed 2, Thu 4
• most: Tuesday (5)
• how many more Tue than Wed: 5 - 2 = 3
• total for the week: 3 + 5 + 2 + 4 = 14

Do the first few questions of the practice worksheet together, one child explaining each step. Check for understanding before releasing the class to work alone.

Students complete the practice worksheet independently while you circulate and support.

Circulate and look for these, they are the usual sticking points:

• Answering before reading the labels or key, so the numbers mean the wrong thing.
• Reading a bar that ends between lines without using the scale interval.
• Adding when the question asks for the difference, or the reverse.
• Reading only one bar when the question compares two.
• Misreading the scale (assuming each step is one) and ignoring the axis labels.

Pull the class back together. Ask one child to explain reading data in their own words, pose a single check question everyone answers on a mini whiteboard, and name what you will build on next lesson.

Use the independent worksheet as the evidence. A child who can complete it accurately and explain one answer has met the objective; anyone who cannot needs the easier level and a short reteach next session.