Substrand	Data
Purpose	Predicting shapes Interpreting data Reasoning
CSF level suggested	1–2
Equipment	Three small boxes containing certain groups of jewellery, worksheet showing a frequency table, a picture graph and a block graph

The Task

The teacher showed three small jewellery boxes and asked the students what might be inside. She challenged them to correctly predict the contents of each by using three 'picture' clues on a worksheet (a frequency table, a picture graph and a block graph). They were to examine the clues on the worksheet and then write or draw to explain the contents of each jewellery box.

The students were encouraged to predict the total number of items in each box as well as describing the groups of items. After all students had completed their predictions the jewellery boxes were opened for checking.

Look For

• accurate counting of data marks
• ability to explain each data group with numbers and words or drawings
• ability to find total number of items

Ben (Year Prep) correctly counted and recorded the items represented on the block graph. He did not count the diagonal 'tally' marks on the frequency table, but understood the marks meant "How many bracelets and how many ear rings." He was confused by the picture graph and miscounted one group. He predicted the total number of treasures in the boxes by estimation, rather than by referring to the data representations. Suggests Level 1 in the substrand.

Edith (Year Prep) correctly counted and recorded the items from all the data representations. She was able to explain each group, for instance "There are five rings and seven ear rings." She used the data representations to find the total number of treasures, but tried to combine all those shown (45 items). She lost count at 29. Suggests Level 2 in the substrand.

Kelly (Year 1) correctly counted and explained each data representation. She was able to explain relationships between groups, for instance "There are two more ear rings than rings in the box". She correctly used each graph to find the total number of items. Suggests Level 2 in the substrand.