Intermediate
40 mins
Teacher/Student led
+65 XP
Teacher-led from the board. Pupils do not need a device, but can follow on one.

The Block Graph, One Block for Each One

Pupils build block graphs using one block per vote from fruit tallies. They stack towers and make sure all start from the same line for accurate height comparison. Activities include group practice and drawing examples.

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    1 - Getting Started ~3 mins

    Key point

    We have used tallies and picture rows. Today we stack blocks instead: one block for every vote, and the tallest tower wins.

    Illustration for Getting StartedHands up: if apple had four votes, how many blocks would sit in the apple tower?

    2 - Watch and Notice ~8 mins

    Two block graphs on the board. Notice that each tower starts on the same bottom line, and count the blocks: one block for every vote.

    Apple has four blocks. Banana has two. Apple is taller because it has more blocks.

    What if banana's two blocks started halfway up the board? Banana would look tall, but it still only has two votes. That is why every tower starts on the same line.

    Now a third fruit joins in. Which tower is tallest, and how do you know?

    3 - Try It Together ~6 mins

    Today we build from this tally: Apple 4, Banana 2, Orange 3. Stack one block for every vote, and keep every tower on the same starting line.

    Build from the tally

    4 - Draw Two Towers ~2 mins

    COPYBOOK MOMENT

    In your maths copy, draw a baseline. Stack a tower of 4 blocks and a tower of 2 blocks, both starting on that same line.

    5 - Class Challenge ~6 mins

    We build the towers together. One block for every vote. Every tower starts on the same line.

    Build the towers

    Pupil practice
    Module 11 · Data: Tallies, Pictograms and Block Graphs Data & Chance
    Lesson 117 · The Block Graph, One Block for Each One
    Download Activity Book page (PDF)
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