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How To Ace Teaching Data in Grade 2: We Make It Easy!

When I taught Grade 2 Data Management with the Ontario 2005 math curriculum, the biggest challenge was mastering the Venn Diagram.  For many students, that was difficult enough, often taking up to two weeks before they were confident in their skill level.  The surveys, tally tables, line plots, bar graphs, and pictographs were based on organizing and displaying data according to one attribute which were demanding enough.

Now, as I read through the new Ontario Curriculum 2020 for Data Literacy and Probability, I am struck by the degree of difficulty that the Grade 2 student is expected to understand.  The Venn Diagram is only a small part of it.  How are we expected to teach it?  

Students are expected to use two-way tally tables, Venn Diagrams, and Carroll diagrams for collecting and organizing data. Line plots, bar graphs, and pictographs display two attributes instead of one. Students have to ask survey questions with two attributes such as 1) what is your favourite food with 2) which kind of milk do you like better - white or chocolate?  Thinking of two different attributes about the same topic can be confusing and difficult.  It takes time to acquire the skill. Students also have to learn about the mode and compare it to the modes of other data collections. The Probability expectations look at making predictions and decisions based on two samples of collected data.  

The task of writing a math resource to address these expectations in a student-friendly manner seemed, at first, daunting.  But now it's done and we want to share it with you!


Our Grade 2 Data and Probability math resource is designed to make teaching data literacy and probability simple and easy.  You don't have to spend hours planning, preparing, or grading.  It is a collection of guided teaching slides, worksheets, activities, and answer keys that cover the grade 2 curriculum for data literacy and probability. You will find everything you need to teach your students how to collect, organize, display, and interpret data using graphs, charts, tables, and diagrams. You will also find everything you need to teach your students how to describe and compare the likelihood of events using words such as certain, likely, and impossible.

How Does It Work?

There are guided teaching slides with examples of the various tables and graphs.  Show these to the class with a projection device to introduce each concept.  Following each group of slides are the student worksheets/activities.  All of the tables and graphs that you will need are provided.  Each student page has an answer key that makes marking easy and allows you to show the answers to the class for a review of the questions.

Teaching the new Data expectations is difficult enough without having to make your own resources.  Let us help!  Students will need lots of practice with each new concept and there are plenty of pages to choose from.  If you are interested, please click here!  

Question!

Do you find students are further behind in math since Covid?  Are you having to review more?  Do you think the new math expectations are too difficult?  What do you need!  Comment below and let us know!





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