Creating Line Graphs

Line Graph Lesson

by Mrs. Brosius

​Content Objective

​I can identify independent and dependent variables and graph them on the proper axis to create a line graph using Google Tools with data from a data table.

Language Objective

​I can tell my partner which factors are independent and dependent variables and recount the steps to create a line graph.

​What is a factor or a variable?

​In Science, we change things and measure things to understand relationships like cause and effect. These things are called factors or variables.

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​Examples: temperature, time, speed, length, height, weight, volume, amount, rounds/attempts/trial number, etc.

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​Some factors/variables are changed by the person doing the experiment. Some factors or variables are changed depending on another factor/variable.

Multiple Choice

What axis on a graph is drawn horizontally, or side to side?

• a-axis

• b-axis

• x-axis

• y-axis

Multiple Select

Which variable is graphed on the x-axis?

• the dependent variable

• the independent variable

• the variable that IS changed by the other variable

• the variable that IS NOT changed by the other variable

Multiple Select

Here is an example. The temperature of water changed over time after adding ice. What are the 2 variables being measured?

• Amount of water

• Temperature of water

• Time

• Amount of ice added

Multiple Choice

Here is an example. The temperature of water changed over time after adding ice. Which statement makes the most sense?

• The amount of time that the ice cube was in the water causes a change in temperature.

• Temperature causes a change in the amount of time that the ice cube was in the water.

Multiple Choice

What does this line graph tell you? What cause and effect relationship do you see in the graph?

• Temperature of water decreases over time after ice was added.

• Temperature of water increases over time after ice was added.

• Temperature of water is not dependent on the amount of time that ice was in the water.

• We can not see a cause and effect relationship between temperature and amount of time that ice was in the water.

Oh Deer! Game Data​

​How can we graph the data from our game?

​What are the independent and dependent variables?

​Which variable belongs on which axis?

​How do we add data from the table to the Google Sheet?

Multiple Choice

Which statement is true for Round 2 of the Oh Deer graph?

• The number of deer at the start is greater than the number of deer at the end?

• The number of deer at the end is greater than the number of deer at the start?

• The number of deer is the same at the start and end.

• The graph does not give us enough information to answer this question.

Multiple Choice

Which statement is true for Round 3 of the Oh Deer graph?

• The number of deer at the start is greater than the number of deer at the end?

• The number of deer at the end is greater than the number of deer at the start?

• The number of deer is the same at the start and end.

• The graph does not give us enough information to answer this question.

Multiple Choice

Which statement is true for Round 9 of the Oh Deer graph?

• The number of deer at the start is greater than the number of deer at the end?

• The number of deer at the end is greater than the number of deer at the start?

• The number of deer is the same at the start and end.

• The graph does not give us enough information to answer this question.

Multiple Select

A person's height changes over time. Select the two correct answers.

• Time depends on a person's height.

• A person's height depends on time.

• Time is the independent variable.

• Height is the independent variable.

Multiple Select

A person's height changes over time. Select the two correct answers.

• Time depends on a person's height.

• A person's height depends on time.

• Time is the dependent variable.

• Height is the dependent variable.

Multiple Select

A person's height changes over time. Select the two correct answers.

• Height will be graphed on x-axis.

• Height will be graphed on y-axis.

• Time will be graphed on x-axis.

• Time will be graphed on y-axis.

Multiple Select

The number of flowers changes with the amount of rain that falls in the Spring. Select the two correct answers.

• Number of flowers depends on amount of rain.

• Amount of rain depends on amount of flowers.

• Number of flowers is the dependent variable.

• Amount of rain is the dependent variable.

Multiple Select

The number of flowers changes with the amount of rain that falls in the Spring. Select the two correct answers.

• Number of flowers depends on amount of rain.

• Amount of rain depends on amount of flowers.

• Number of flowers is the independent variable.

• Amount of rain is the independent variable.

Multiple Select

The number of flowers changes with the amount of rain that falls in the Spring. Select the two correct answers.

• Number of flowers will be graphed on x-axis.

• Number of flowers will be graphed on y-axis.

• Amount of rain will be graphed on x-axis.

• Amount of rain will be graphed on y-axis.

Multiple Select

The number of soccer goals scored changes with the hours of practice that an athlete completes.   Select the two correct answers.

• Number of goals scored depends on hours of practice.

• Hours of practice depends on number of goals scored.

• Hours practiced is the independent variable.

• Number of goals is the independent variable.

Multiple Select

The number of soccer goals scored changes with the hours of practice that an athlete completes.   Select the two correct answers.

• Number of goals scored depends on hours of practice.

• Hours of practice depends on number of goals scored.

• Hours practiced is the dependent variable.

• Number of goals is the dependent variable.

Multiple Select

The number of soccer goals scored changes with the hours of practice that an athlete completes.   Select the two correct answers.

• Hours of practice will be graphed on x-axis.

• Hours of practice will be graphed on y-axis.

• Number of goals will be graphed on x-axis.

• Number of goals will be graphed on y-axis.

Poll

How confident do you feel about identifying independent and dependent variables and graphing them on the correct axis?

• Very confident!

• Somewhat confident, but I still have a couple of questions.

• I'm lost! Help!

Poll

How confident do you feel about telling your partner which factors are independent and dependent variables?

• Very confident!

• Somewhat confident, but I don't feel like I've mastered all of the vocabulary to talk about it clearly.

• I'm lost! Help!

Poll

How confident do you feel about recounting to your partner the steps it takes to create a line graph?

• Very confident!  I know all of the steps and can even teach others how to do it.

• Somewhat confident, but I don't feel like I've mastered all of the steps and think I will forget a few.

• I'm lost! Help!