M&M's Colour Chart - A yummy introduction into graphing!!!

This is an excellent introduction (and a yummy one) to explore the use of graphs for presenting data.  Note:  Extremely important to check the school's policy regarding chocolate and chocolate products.  If chocolate or such products are banned, then Skittles may be to be used, or coloured stars etc.

As an engaging activity, students could be asked to make predictions as to how many of each of the colours will be in the M&M's packet (and any other predictions that might be suggested).  This could start off as a group exercise, where a packet is handed to each group, and each member within that group is responsible for counting out one of the colours.

After the colours have been counted, the information can be entered into MS Excel under two columns (Colour and Number/Count).  Instructed the students on how to highlight the required cells.  Then the students can insert the data into graph for, as a visual representation of the data.  Students could explore the different types of graphs and choose which format they feel most appropriate.

 

 After this students can be shown how to change series colour, add axis headings, changing title heading and add series data.  Students may then want to explore their creativity and import a background image, like the one that is shown below.