Fruit and veg data detectives

Learning objectives

• Collect data into a table.
• Draw a bar chart with a sensible scale.
• Answer questions using the chart (Year 6: work out a mean).

Curriculum links

• Maths, Year 3Interpret and present data using bar charts, pictograms and tables.
• Maths, Year 4Interpret and present discrete and continuous data using appropriate graphical methods, including bar charts.
• Maths, Year 6Calculate and interpret the mean as an average.

Lesson plan

1. Starter10 min
   Ask: which do you think has more vitamin C, an orange or a red pepper? Take a class vote and record it.
2. Collect15 min
   Each group chooses one measure (vitamin C works well) and picks 8 cards. They write each card’s value in the table.
3. Draw20 min
   Groups choose a scale and draw a bar chart. Discuss: why does the scale matter when one value is much bigger than the rest?
4. Detect15 min
   Groups answer questions on the sheet: highest, lowest, difference between them, and (Year 6) the mean. Check the starter vote: were they right?

Support and challenge

• SupportGive a scale that’s already marked and use 5 cards.
• ChallengeCompare two measures for the same cards. Does a high-energy card also have lots of fibre?