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Creating Dot Plots and Histograms: 6th Grade Statistics and Graphing

Students design a numerical survey, collect responses and represent their data as a dot plot and histogram before reflecting on the results.
Grades
Grade 6, Middle School
Pages
5
File type
PDF
Preparation
Print ready

Updated Dec 27, 2023

Subject
Math, Graphing, Statistics
Topic
Dot Plots, Histograms
Resource types
Activities
Preparation
Print ready
Standards
6.SP.B.4

Product description

From the author

Here's a ready to go activity for students in 6th grade math class. They will collect numerical data and create their own dot plots and histograms to display their findings! This gives them a sense of ownership over their learning, and it is a great way to assess their skills!

Student Instructions:

Step 1: Think of a question with 6-8 numerical answer options. For example: ‘How many siblings do you have’ could include the answers 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5+

‘How long does it take you to get to school’ could include 0-10 mins, 10-20 mins, 20-30 mins, 30-40 mins, 40-50 mins, 50-60 mins, and 1hr+

Step 2: Survey at least 20 people. Record each answer with a tally mark in the right column.

Step 3: Turn your data set into a dot plot (using the provided template).

Step 4: Turn your data set into a histogram (using the provided template).

Step 5: Reflect on the process by answering discussion questions and self-assessing your skills.

Grades to Use With:

This activity is designed to target Common Core Grade 6 Math Statistics Standards, but it could also be used for enrichment in Grade 5, review in Grades 7 or 8, or in high school special education classes.

What's Included:

5 Page PDF: Title Page

Survey Data Collection Page

Dot Plot Template

Histogram Template

Reflection and Self-Assessment

In the classroom

Teaching tips & learning objectives

Learning objectives

  • Generate an original statistical survey question with 6-8 numerical answer options.

  • Construct a dot plot from collected data with correctly labeled axes and a title.

  • Compare dot plots and histograms and reflect on which chart type is easier to read.

Teaching tips

  • Review the two worked question examples (number of siblings, commute time) before students design their own, to model a valid 6-8-option numerical question.

  • Use the built-in self-assessment rubric as a quick formative check on which of the four project skills need reteaching.

  • Choose non-overlapping numerical intervals for a histogram. Record exact values if students will also make a dot plot, and adapt the frequency scale if any group exceeds 11.

Skills covered

  • Statistical question design — students write their own survey question with 6-8 numerical answer options, modeled on two worked examples.

  • Dot plot construction — students plot data points above labeled x-axis categories on a pre-scaled y-axis.

  • Histogram construction — students shade bars by frequency above labeled x-axis categories on a pre-scaled y-axis.

Good to know

Questions teachers ask about this resource

Are the dot plot and histogram grids pre-drawn?

Yes. The templates have a frequency scale from 1 to 11 and blank horizontal-axis boxes. Choose appropriate numerical intervals for the histogram and adapt the frequency scale or use extra graph paper if the data exceed it.

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Curriculum

Standards, concepts & topics

Standards

  • 6.SP.B.4 — Display numerical data in plots on a number line, including dot plots, histograms, and box plots.

Core concepts

  • Dot plots

  • Histograms

  • Data collection

  • Statistical questions

  • Self-assessment

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