Elementary Pull-Out: Skittles Graphing

The Elementary Mathematician, COMAP's award-winning K-6 newsletter is available for the first time in electronic format. Each issue contains a collection of K-6 mathematic lessons that are fun to teach and exciting to learn.

Each issue of The Elementary Mathematician contains a Pull-Out section which includes thematic lessons based on the national census, wildlife, other cultures, technology, and provides a practical way to bring the concepts and pedagogy of the NCTM Standards into your classroom. 

Note: The information below was created with the assistance of AI.

Level of Mathematics
This activity is most appropriate for upper elementary grades, specifically Grades 3–5.

Mathematical Complexity: Moderate
While the tasks involve simple data collection, the activity progresses to multi-step graphing and optional use of percents and angles, which introduces concepts suitable for Grade 5.

Prerequisite Skills
To participate successfully, students should be familiar with:

Basic counting and data collection

Color sorting and tallying

Understanding bar and line graphs

Introductory fractions (e.g., 4 out of 36)

Basic calculator use for percentage and angle conversions (optional)

Using a ruler, compass, and protractor (for optional geometric extensions)

Application Areas

1. Data Representation and Analysis
Students learn how to collect, organize, and visually represent data using:

Picture graphs

Tally charts

Bar graphs

Line graphs

Circle graphs (pie charts)

2. Fractions, Decimals, and Percents
Students express data as:

Fractions of a whole

Decimals or percents (with calculator assistance)

Circle sectors in degrees for pie charts (optional geometry)

3. Visual Interpretation and Statistical Reasoning
Encourages students to compare and interpret their graphs.

Teaches how to make true statements and observations from the visual data.

4. Cross-disciplinary Connections
Introduces ideas relevant to:

Marketing and manufacturing (e.g., who might need this data?)

Consumer behavior (e.g., favorite Skittles® colors)

Art and geometry (constructing accurate circle graphs)

Subject Matter Overview
Key Mathematical Topics:

Graphing Skills:

Picture, bar, line, and circle graphs

Data collection and representation

Numerical comparison and pattern recognition

Fraction-to-percent and percent-to-degree conversion

Circle geometry basics (360° in a circle, radius, angles)

Word problem creation and solving based on data

Instructional Flow:

Day 1:

Use actual Skittles® for sorting and data collection

Create multiple types of graphs to show data visually

Day 2:

Conduct a class vote, visualize with paper-strip pie charts

Convert to percentages and degrees (optional)

Compare methods and graphs

Reflect on practical applications and write a word problem

Correlation to Mathematics Standards
Common Core State Standards (CCSS):

CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.3.MD.B.3: Draw a scaled picture graph and bar graph to represent a data set.

CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.4.MD.B.4: Make a line plot to display a data set of measurements; interpret data.

CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.5.G.A.2: Represent real-world and mathematical problems by graphing points in the first quadrant of the coordinate plane.

CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.5.NF.B.3: Interpret a fraction as division of the numerator by the denominator.

CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.6.RP.A.3.C: Find a percent of a quantity as a rate per 100 (for optional percent extensions).

CCSS.MATH.PRACTICE.MP4: Model with mathematics.

CCSS.MATH.PRACTICE.MP5: Use appropriate tools strategically.

NCTM Standards:

Data Analysis and Probability: Formulate questions and collect, organize, and display data relevant to those questions.

Number and Operations: Work flexibly with fractions, decimals, and percents.

Measurement: Understand angle measurement and degrees in a circle.

Connections: Relate mathematical ideas to real-world applications.