Great Graphs!

Each month I like to do an interactive whole class graph (realistically, it ends up being more like every season but I'm trying to get better at that).  On Monday, I post a question on the bulletin board and we have a brief discussion of the choices.  Students make their choice when they have a free moment.

At the end of the week, we talk about our observations.  Students work in groups to write down what they see and what they think. We start off with what we see right off the bat - most popular, least popular, etc.  Then we discuss some higher level thinking questions like making comparisons and inferences.  For example, why do you think lemonade was the most popular drink?  Why did no one vote for iced tea?  Do you think this graph would turn out the same in the winter time?  for a grade 8 class?  Finally, we post some of the sticky notes on the board.

Here are examples of some our graphs.

Summertime Drinks

Favourite Place for Dinner

Christmas Traditions