Home        Learn More        Standards        Inspiration        About the Author

---

Creating Visual Data Graphs:
Would seeing their reading scores every month inspire students to push themselves?

Example of a student graph using the "Create a Graph" site. There are 5 different chart styles to choose from and multiple data points can be entered.

---

CREATE A GRAPH DIGITAL TOOL

I discovered the versatile graphing tool "Create a Graph" on the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) site which is the "primary federal entity for collecting and analyzing student data related to education." I was surprised to learn that they had a Kids Zone which shows many statistical examples, but even more exciting was the ability to design your own graph or chart. I chose to use the bar graph design with 3 color coded choices that students would replicate month after month with their latest data because it seemed to be the simplest design to understand. The data points I chose were lexile level, reading quiz average and Read 180 comprehension % or System 44 series level. The last screen allows the option to either print, download or email the completed graph. I chose to have students email the graph to me so I could instantly check on my phone if they sent it successfully since our computers are not all connected to the printer. Making sure their name was in the graph title made it very quick and easy to check!
hetional Center for Education Statistics he primary federal entity for collecting and g d

Students in the video to the left are looking up their own monthly reading scores from 2 different sources before they enter them into the graphing website. I taught the first 6 students how to create their digital graphs. I used the strategy "Each One, Teach One" where they became the coaches and stood behind the next group of 6 students and offered assistance if necessary. As the next group cycled through, the student then became the new coach.  Each rotation took about 15 minutes for our trial run- not bad for our very first attempt!

---

Click on the image above to explore the Create a Graph website.

Once their color coded bar graphs were printed, students put them in sheet protectors in their binders to keep the beautiful data clean.  The first month with only one bar graph to analyze was interesting for the kids to interpret, but the real magic happened month after month when they started to really see patterns of growth.  To read more about the data feedback conversations we had, click on the effective feedback link on the right.

---

This is my first screencast video tutorial that I have ever created using a tool called Screencastomatic .  While it does take a moment to get over the shock of hearing your own voice (gulp!), my students reported that watching this tutorial helped them understand most of the steps. It was very useful to have as a reference for students to go back and use if they got stuck on one of the steps, especially the first time. I am excited to teach my students how to record their own screen recordings that they can share with their families!

GROWTH MINDSET

EFFECTIVE FEEDBACK

REFERENCES