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How To Make:
How To Make:
Christmas Wrapping Paper Graphs
Christmas Wrapping Paper Graphs
meet your maker
meet your maker
Chris Woods (dailySTEM)
HS Math Teacher & Host of the STEM Everyday Podcast
Why make graphs from wrapping paper?
Why make graphs from wrapping paper?
More than anything, kids need REAL examples of STEM. Not contrived, made up story problems. This idea is adaptable for a wide variety of situations in any classroom, especially long term projects.
More than anything, kids need REAL examples of STEM. Not contrived, made up story problems. This idea is adaptable for a wide variety of situations in any classroom, especially long term projects.
Oh, and wrapping paper is a cheap way to make big graphs!
Oh, and wrapping paper is a cheap way to make big graphs!
STEP 1: Buy wrapping paper with "gridlines" on the back
STEP 1: Buy wrapping paper with "gridlines" on the back
STEP 2: Collect your materials
STEP 2: Collect your materials
- wrapping paper
- markers (permanent work best)
- meter stick & ruler
- scissors
- tape or thumbtacks
STEP 3: Ask your students what data they want to analyze
STEP 3: Ask your students what data they want to analyze
Possible data to keep track of:
- daily temperature
- snowfall/rainfall totals
- physical activity
- pages read in books
- science experiments
STEP 4: Label your axes
STEP 4: Label your axes
Don't just do this step for your kids...ask them to estimate what numbers they should go up by
STEP 5: Prepare for data
STEP 5: Prepare for data
Hang it securely on your classroom wall (or in the hallway so others can see it) using tape or thumbtacks
STEP 6: Start collecting data
STEP 6: Start collecting data
Remind kids to collect the data consistently
STEP 7: Make decisions based on the data
STEP 7: Make decisions based on the data
Collecting real data is only the first step to real classroom learning. Help your students analyze the data by asking good questions. Look for trends. Try to calculate an equation.
Hopefully the questions and answers can lead to ideas or solutions to problems in your school or community. Your data should have a purpose. Otherwise it's just another irrelevant story problem.
If you end up with great data or ideas, don't just keep it to yourselves. Find ways to share it with your community in school newsletters or make a video to share the information!
And if you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask...I'm always happy to help: Website Twitter
Bonus tip:
Bonus tip:
That cardboard box that your Christmas gift came in? Turn it into a beanbag toss game...or a crumpled up wrapping paper toss game!
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