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Graphs that tell stories: 8th grade math

Describe and sketch graphs qualitatively. A free 8th grade lesson plan, a question set with answers and a printable sheet with its key. Copy it and make it yours.

Lesson plan

Goal

  • Students can do this: describe and sketch graphs qualitatively.

Teach (10 min)

  • Read a graph from left to right. Going up means the amount grows. Flat means it stays the same. Going down means it shrinks.
  • A steeper slope means it changes faster.
  • Work one example on the board while students say each step aloud, then do one together.

Practise (15 min)

  • Students work the printable sheet in pairs, then alone.
  • Or practise it as a game with no sign-up: https://peabody.kids/math/funcs.sketch?lesson=8-funcs-sketch-1&at=8

Exit ticket (5 min)

  • Three questions on a slip:
  • 1. Here is a story about how far a walker is from home. First it stops, then it gets farther away, then it gets closer. Which description of the graph matches?
  • 2. Here is a story about the height of a balloon. First it hovers, then it climbs, then it sinks. Which description of the graph matches?

Question set

2 questions that read in words, easiest first. Questions that need a picture are on the printable sheet below.

  1. Here is a story about how far a walker is from home. First it stops, then it gets farther away, then it gets closer. Which description of the graph matches?
  2. Here is a story about the height of a balloon. First it hovers, then it climbs, then it sinks. Which description of the graph matches?
Answers
  1. The graph stays flat, then slants up, then slants down.
  2. The graph stays flat, then slants up, then slants down.

Printable sheet

Name: ____________________   Date: ____________

Graphs that tell stories (8th grade)

  1. The graph shows the height of a balloon over time. Which story matches the graph?
    123456123456789time
  2. The graph shows the temperature of a drink over time. Which story matches the graph?
    123456123456789time
  3. The graph shows how far a walker is from home over time. Which story matches the graph?
    123456123456789time
  4. The graph shows the temperature of a drink over time. Which story matches the graph?
    123456123456789time
  5. The graph shows the water level in a tub over time. Which story matches the graph?
    123456123456789time
  6. The graph shows the water level in a tub over time. Which story matches the graph?
    123456123456789time
  7. The graph shows how far a walker is from home over time. Which story matches the graph?
    123456123456789time
  8. The graph shows the height of a balloon over time. Which story matches the graph?
    123456123456789time
  9. Here is a story about the height of a balloon. First it hovers, then it climbs, then it hovers. Which description of the graph matches?
  10. The graph shows the water level in a tub over time. Which story matches the graph?
    123456123456789time
  11. The graph shows the water level in a tub over time. Which story matches the graph?
    123456123456789time
  12. Here is a story about the money in a jar. First it shrinks, then it stays the same, then it grows. Which description of the graph matches?
Key
  1. First it climbs, then it hovers.
  2. First it stays steady, then it cools down.
  3. First it stops, then it gets closer.
  4. First it cools down, then it stays steady.
  5. First it stays the same, then it rises.
  6. First it falls, then it stays the same.
  7. First it gets farther away, then it stops, then it gets closer.
  8. First it sinks, then it climbs, then it hovers.
  9. The graph stays flat, then slants up, then stays flat.
  10. First it rises, then it falls, then it stays the same.
  11. First it stays the same, then it rises, then it falls.
  12. The graph slants down, then stays flat, then slants up.

Written by Peabody from its own skill pages. Free, no ads, no sign-in. Children can practise this on Peabody. More from teachers: teacher-shared resources.