Numeracy skills, (those skills that improve students’ facility with mathematics) are under-utilized in the social studies classroom and can offer students a new perspective on social studies. The ability to interpret a table of data in multiple ways can empower a student.

If you can collect a pool of data, you can easily design a numeracy lesson and enhance students’ social studies knowledge as well. Graphing is a simple skill that most students know how to do, and you can convey knowledge in a meaningful way in a short time. Any table of data can provide multiple graphing options. Simple options range from the representation of raw results to percentages and ratios. More complex options could focus on analysis of tendencies and comparative analysis. Here are some ideas for data we collected regarding this project.

Eighty students, grades 10-12 were polled in their classrooms. Kids were asked to write 10 qualities of a veteran. Then they were asked to write 10 qualities of a peace activist. Here are the responses that appeared more than once, followed by the number of students who listed this response.

Sample size: 80

Peace Activist

• Optimistic: 2
• Annoying: 2
• Smart: 5
• Caring: 8
• Hippie: 21
• Peaceful: 14
• Nice: 16
• Helpful: 5

Veteran

• Smart: 13
• Nice: 11
• Wise: 8
• Selfless: 5
• Old: 20
• Patriotic: 12
• Loyal: 5
• Scared: 5
• Strong: 29
• Brave: 33

Activities to accompany these data:

Step 1

-Pre-assess by having each student complete the task that generated the data.

-As a group, go over the responses and formulate your own table of data.

Step 2

-One group of students graphs website-provided responses for Peace Activists.

-A second group of students graphs website-provided responses for Veterans.

-A third group of students graphs class responses for Peace Activists.

-A fourth group of students graphs class responses for Veterans.

Step 3

-Each group reflects on their responses. What were the general tendencies? Were they expected? Were there responses that students expected but did not see?

Step 4

-Combine the two Veterans groups and the two Peace Activists groups. Students compare and contrast data and prepare a graph representing this comparison.

Step 5

-Each group presents their data to the class.

Let us know if you use the lesson, or other ways you use numeracy in the classroom by emailing us at hdinbetween@yahoo.com .