Lesson Plan
Counting Clues Lesson Plan
Students will learn to ask questions, record responses using tally marks on a data collection sheet, and represent collected data in a pictograph.
This lesson builds early data literacy by combining communication skills with basic math concepts. Students learn to organize information, interpret results, and present findings visually—essential foundations for critical thinking.
Audience
Time
Approach
Materials
Prep
Teacher Preparation
10 minutes
Step 1
Introduction to Data Collection
5 minutes
Step 2
Modeling Tally Marks
10 minutes
Step 3
Student Surveys
10 minutes
Step 4
Creating Pictographs
5 minutes
Slide Deck
Counting Clues: Favorite Fruits
What is Data Collection?
Our Data Collection Sheet
Making Tally Marks
Now You Try!
Creating a Pictograph
What Does Our Graph Say?
Well Done, Data Detectives!
Worksheet
Lesson Plan
Data Detectives Lesson Plan
Students will learn to sort classroom objects, record counts using tally marks on a data collection sheet, and represent their results in a pictograph.
This lesson builds foundational data literacy by teaching students to organize, count, and visualize information. It fosters observational skills, introduces basic math concepts, and prepares students for more complex data analysis.
Audience
Time
Approach
Materials
Prep
Teacher Preparation
10 minutes
Step 1
Introduction to Data Collection
5 minutes
Step 2
Modeling Tally Marks
10 minutes
Step 3
Student Sorting and Tallying
10 minutes
Step 4
Creating a Pictograph
5 minutes
Slide Deck
Data Detectives: Let's Collect Data!
Lesson Objective
Materials You Need
What is Data Collection?
Making Tally Marks
Now You Try: Sorting & Tallying
Creating a Pictograph
What Does Our Graph Say?
Well Done, Data Detectives!
Activity
Worksheet
Cool Down
