How to Graph: A Lesson with M&M's!

After finishing up our chapter on probability, our class has moved on to data and statistics. We began the chapter by doing a project with M&M's. Every person in the class received a Fun Size bag of M&M's, then proceeded to group them by color.

Once they were grouped by color, we recorded how many of each color we had by creating a "real graph", an example of which is depicted below: 

We then removed the M&M's one by one and colored the appropriate color in each circle to make a pictograph. Once this was completed we were allowed to eat the M&M's. What student would not love an activity that gives you candy? However, you might want to save the candy eating for when the entire project is finished, that is up to you.

With our pictograph completed, we proceeded to collect data from the entire class. How many of each color did each person have? [For example: Sally had 2 red, Mark had 4 red, Dennis had 2 red, etc.] Once all of this information was collected on the front board for all of us to see, we made a dot plot using the data from the entire class. 

Once the dot plot was completed, we calculated our totals; how many of each color did the class have and how many total M&M's were there in the class? We then used the totals to find the percentages of each color. For example:

# of  red  M&M's  =  % of red M&M's

total # of M&M's  

Going back to our graphing... 

We then constructed a bar graph using the data from the entire class [I apologize for not having a picture of them, our instructor gathered our worksheets]. Once we have completed the bar graph as accurately as possible, we colored in the bars with the corresponding color and cut out the bars. This last part was done with a partner. [The following was done in haste at home to provide you with a visual. It is not accurate.]

 Then, laying the bars end to end, we taped all of the bars together, making sure that the bars did not overlap:

Now that all of the colors are taped together in a line, tape the two ends together to create a circle:

You now have created a template for a simple pie chart without having to find the exact degrees needed for the colors in the circle. Place your circle on a piece of paper and mark where each color stops and another starts: 

Now draw a line from your marks to the center of the chart:

Then, enclose your circle:

[It is ok if it is not perfect! This is just to demonstrate how a pie chart and bar graph are related.]

Shade in each color's region:

Lastly, use the percentages you calculated earlier to label each color with the correct percent and create a title for your chart: 

[The above percentages are not accurate as I made them up to provide a quick example.]

I love this lesson. It allows students to work with manipulatives and visuals. It is colorful. This lesson has an individual element, a group element, and a whole class element. We went through the lesson fairly quickly, but you could easily stretch it out for a week and spend an hour or more a day on each element.