Solve various problem types using data presented in picture graphs and bar graphs

Big Ideas: Addition and subtraction can be used to summarize and interpret data. Measurement processes are used in everyday life to describe and quantify the world. This lesson builds on the students' work with organizing and interpreting data. This task uses a game called "Graph Detectives" to provide students with the opportunity to ask and answer many problem types. Students are asked to think about which problem types are easier and which are more challenging. Students will use the set of Graph Cards and Hint Cards to support their work. They will discover, like detectives, that common vocabulary makes it easier to add and subtract for interpretation and summary. The mathematical concepts in this lesson build toward students' future work with drawing and solving word problems with scaled bar graphs. Vocabulary: representation, data, category, title, picture graph, bar graph, vertical, horizontal, axes, axis, total, count (referring to a total of a group), compare, put-together, take=apart, fewer, more, more than Special Materials: Graph Card set (1 set for every 4-5 kids) Graph Detective game directions (as needed) Hint Card (1 per pair) dice (1 per pair) snap cubes (10 per pair) Optional: Scaled Graph Card set personal whiteboards blank paper