Line Plots: Representing the Length of Classroom Items

Explicit Instruction/Teacher modeling

• Explain to students that a line plot uses a number line to show data, and that data is information collected about people or things.
• Explain what the different parts of the line plot are, such as the title and axis label.
• Draw a line plot on chart paper.
• Write the title "Length of Pencils" at the top of the line plot and "Inches" at the bottom to label the axis.
• Ask students to look at the results from the pencil measurements and find the measurements for the shortest pencil and the longest pencil.
• Label the number line with the shortest pencil as the first mark and the longest pencil as the last mark.
• Draw an X for the length of each student's pencil in a single column above the number on the number line.
• Discuss the line plot with students. Potential questions include: "What is the most common length of a pencil in our class? How many pencils are there in all?"

Guided Practice

• Draw a number line from 1–6, and label the axis and numbers.
• Have each student measure another person's thumb using an inch ruler.
• Record students' results on the board.
• Ask students to help come up with a title for the line plot.
• Write the title "Thumb Lengths" on top of the line plot.
• Have students come to the board and draw an X for the length of their thumbs in a single column above the number on the number line.
• Discuss the line plot by asking questions. For example: "What is the most common length of thumbs? How many thumbs are three inches long?"

Independent working time

• Instruct your students to complete the Line Plot Practice worksheet.