A sorting activity on types of data for Year 4 maths. After a short introduction with a visual aid, pupils sort 15 items from the mixed-up notes into discrete and continuous columns, then explain which one was trickiest and invent a new example for each category. Example responses and a completed table are in the key. Supports the England National Curriculum statistics objective on discrete and continuous data.
Statistics
“Interpret and present discrete and continuous data using appropriate graphical methods, including bar charts and time graphs.”
Knowing which data is which is the groundwork for choosing bar chart or time graph.
A short explanation of discrete and continuous data with a visual aid.
15 data types to sort into a two-column table.
Pupils name their trickiest item and add one new example per category.
Starter
Run the sort before teaching which graph suits which data.
Paired sort
The 15 items generate good argument in pairs before committing to the table.
Plenary
The trickiest-item question closes the lesson with reasoning.
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