Handling Data in Year 4 Data handling is often overlooked but in this age where we are presented with a vast array of facts and figures in graphs, tables, etc, which often misreprersent information, it is an area not to be omitted. Children should understand the meaning of and be able to spell and read these words: Vote, survey, questionnaire, data, count, tally, sort, set, represent, table, list, graph, chart, diagram, axes, label, title, most common or popular Children should be able to count votes on an issue (such as most popular items) and record these in a simple table. They should be able to say which items are  most or least popular. They should be able to determine which items had more than or less than a certain number of votes. They should be able to make simple and sensible predictions about what might happen if the survey was taken in slightly different circumstances (another year group, in a different geographical area etc.). They should be able to construct pictograms where the symbol used represents one or more than one item (eg. one stick person represents 10 people). They should be able to interpret and answer simple questions about pictograms. They should be able to draw and interpret simple bar charts, including those involving time and be able to predict which items are most likely to occur based on information in a bar chart. A Venn diagram is a way of sorting information, usually at this age into three groups. A Carroll diagram is another way of sorting, into four groups. Extension Work It is good practice at this age for children to become familiar with the following skills and those that are able enough should be encouraged to use these ideas. Children should be able to collect data and record their results systematically. They should be able to use an increasing range of tables, charts, graphs and diagrams. They should be able to make predictions based on data collected and be able to discuss their results and predictions. They should be able to make a simple database on paper and find the mode (most common) and the median (middle result when placed in order of size) of a set of results. Go to Handling Data concepts in Year 4