bar graph pie graph graphing thermometer lab PowerPoint STEM 3 4 5 6 TX TEKS

This fun, hands-on, lab and graphing activity gets your students thinking deeply and putting their knowledge of graphing, gathering data, and following instructions to the test. Perfect for test prep! Great way to incorporate science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) concepts into a fun lesson. This lesson was created for elementary and middle school students and is great practice to help students reinforce the concepts of graphing, data gathering, creating bar graphs, creating pie graphs, following instructions, and following best practices in the lab. I use this as a lab and classwork activity focused on graphing review to prepare my students for standardized tests.

Lab only requires very common, inexpensive, and easy to find materials. Food coloring, clay, a drinking straw, and a glass vinegar bottle are all you need to complete the lab!

This lesson covers both common core concepts as well as Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills. Highly engaging, high level thinking activity, lab, graphing lesson or review. Concepts covered include gathering data, following instructions, bar charts, and pie charts. Teacher guide, PowerPoint guiding students through the thermometer build, student data sheets and blank graphs, downloadable fonts, and links to additional resources included at no additional cost! Approximately two class periods in length. As a point of reference I teach a 50 minute class and generally complete this activity in two days. Please note: to protect the integrity of my work and to respect the large amount of time I have devoted to developing this resource, the PowerPoint is protected from editing. This in no way prevents you from accessing or using all the many features of the product. Created by Mister Science.

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If you like this lesson you might also like my fun graphing worksheet with an engaging zombie theme! CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE

Common Core Standards addressed in this lesson:
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RST.6-8.3
Follow precisely a multistep procedure when carrying out experiments, taking measurements, or performing technical tasks.

This standard is met when students follow instructions to build their own thermometer. This standard is further met when students take measurements from their thermometers and complete a bar graph and a pie graph.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RST.6-8.4
Determine the meaning of symbols, key terms, and other domain-specific words and phrases as they are used in a specific scientific or technical context relevant to grades 6-8 texts and topics.

This standard is met when students use measurements from their thermometers to compete a bar graph as well as a pie graph.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RST.6-8.7
Integrate quantitative or technical information expressed in words in a text with a version of that information expressed visually (e.g., in a flowchart, diagram, model, graph, or table).


This standard is met when students gather data and then use that information to create a visual representation of those answers in the form of a pie graph and a pie graph.

For my fellow Texans:
This lab addresses the following Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for science

2.2 C-E
(2) Scientific investigation and reasoning. The student develops abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry in classroom and outdoor investigations. The student is expected to:
(C) collect data from observations using simple equipment such as hand lenses, primary balances, thermometers, and non-standard measurement tools;
(D) record and organize data using pictures, numbers, and words;
(E) communicate observations and justify explanations using student-generated data from simple descriptive investigations

2.5 B
(5) Matter and energy. The student knows that matter has physical properties and those properties determine how it is described, classified, changed, and used. The student is expected to:
(B) compare changes in materials caused by heating and cooling

3.2 C & F
(2) Scientific investigation and reasoning. The student uses scientific inquiry methods during laboratory and outdoor investigations. The student is expected to:
(C) construct maps, graphic organizers, simple tables, charts, and bar graphs using tools and current technology to organize, examine, and evaluate measured data
(F) communicate valid conclusions supported by data in writing, by drawing pictures, and through verbal discussion.

4.2 C, D, & F
(2) Scientific investigation and reasoning. The student uses scientific inquiry methods during laboratory and outdoor investigations. The student is expected to:
(C) construct simple tables, charts, bar graphs, and maps using tools and current technology to organize, examine, and evaluate data;
(D) analyze data and interpret patterns to construct reasonable explanations from data that can be observed and measured;
(F) communicate valid, oral, and written results supported by data.

5.2 G
(2) Scientific investigation and reasoning. The student uses scientific methods during laboratory and outdoor investigations. The student is expected to:
(G) construct appropriate simple graphs, tables, maps, and charts using technology, including computers, to organize, examine, and evaluate information.

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