Data, 4–6 years — 20 topics · MyLeoNes™ Kuks
20 data topics written for 4–6 years — not a older text simplified. In teaching order, each a deck of five cards: the idea, why it exists, a worked example, the common trap and where you meet it.
Data · 4–6 years
Sorting things to find out more
We can learn from a collection by putting similar things together. Sorting makes patterns easier to see and gives us a clear question to investigate.
Counting a collection
Counting tells us how many objects are in a group. Each object needs one number, and the final number tells the size of the whole collection.
Showing data with pictures
A picture chart turns counted answers into a display we can see. One picture can stand for one object, making groups easier to compare.
Compare groups of data
After sorting and counting, we can ask which group has more, fewer or the same number. Comparing helps us answer a question using evidence from what we counted.
Ask a question and collect answers
Data often begins with a question. We can ask people the same simple question and keep their answers so we can learn something about the group.
Measure with the same unit
When we measure objects, the pieces or units must be the same size. Then the numbers tell us something fair about length, height or weight.
Find the most common answer
Sometimes we want to know which answer appears most often. Finding it gives a quick picture of what is usual in a group, without saying that every person agrees.
Make a sensible guess from data
Past observations can help us make a careful guess about what may happen next. Data gives a clue, not a guarantee, because the next situation can be different.
Tally marks
Tally marks are quick little strokes that help us keep track of things without counting the same thing twice.
Reading a simple table
A table puts answers beside their numbers, so we can find one piece of information without searching through a long list.
Data can change
A record made at one time tells us about that moment, not always about every other time.
Check the record
Before using data, we check that each thing was recorded once and that nothing important is missing.
Data is information
Data is information we notice, remember or write down about things, people or events. Learning to recognise it helps us talk clearly about what we find out.
Patterns in data
A pattern is something that repeats or follows an order in information. Spotting one helps us notice what may happen next, without pretending that every pattern is a rule.
One thing can have many features
One object or person can be described in more than one way at the same time. Seeing several features makes our information richer and helps us describe things accurately.
Keep personal data private
Some information tells others about a particular person, such as a name, face or home address. Children can learn to share ordinary information carefully and ask a trusted adult before sharing private details.
Observe and record
We can collect data by looking carefully and recording what we notice.
Zero means none
Zero is useful data: it tells us that we found none.
Use data to choose
Data can help us make a choice by showing what happened or what people preferred.
Time and place matter
A number makes more sense when we know where and when it was collected.
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