Fruit Loops or Skittles Graphing

Standards:

Collecting, organizing and describing data based on real life situations.

Constructing, reading and interpreting data in charts, graphs, table’s etc.

Predicting outcomes based on probability of same chance, likely or less likely.

Overview:

Students will encounter many graphs in everyday life. This lesson develops skills in reading and interpreting data on a graph. It allows for an enjoyable hands on approach to graphing.

Objectives:

  1. Sort and Classify
  2. Record data on chart
  3. Use data to create a bar or circle graph
  4. Analyze and interpret data
  5. Create a color graph using the Create a Graph website

Resources / Materials:

  1. 2 (20 oz. boxes of "Fruit Loops")
  2. small Styrofoam cups
  3. pictures of various kinds of graphs
  4. computer with access to the Net

Activities and Procedures:

·  Give each student a small cup of Fruit Loops

·  Ask students to sort and classify Fruit Loops according to color

·  Have students discuss the differences and similarities of the bar graph and pie graph

·  Demonstrate a bar graph then ask the students to illustrate and color a bar graph using the color and figures, (from the findings of their data collected using the Fruit Loops). Us e the program create a graph to complete the activity

·  The students can use the charts to predict the probability of selecting one color at random from the boxes of Fruit Loops in the classroom.

Tying It All Together:

Students can use charts and graphs to predict probability and develop decision making skills. The concepts of graphing and probability allows for a better understanding when using a hands on approach. The relationships between the parts of a graph are a treasure chest for seeking patterns. Distribute the class-wide database and lead a discussion on the greatest color from each group. Make a large bar graph on the white board to confirm prediction.

Evaluation:

·  Printed bar or pie graph