icon-background-square
New
New
Year 6

Presenting data using charts

I can present data so that it is easier to understand and use.

icon-background-square
New
New
Year 6

Presenting data using charts

I can present data so that it is easier to understand and use.

warning

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Switch to our new teaching resources now - designed by teachers and leading subject experts, and tested in classrooms.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. A chart is a graphical representation of data values.
  2. Different types of chart are useful for different reasons.
  3. A pie chart is useful visual method of comparing percentages of data values against a total.
  4. Tables and graphical charts should be used together to present data in most effective way.

Keywords

  • Chart - a way of presenting data graphically

  • Pie chart - a circular chart where sectors represent different groups in proportion to each other

Common misconception

Graphically presented data is always easier to understand than data in tables.

Graphical charts help to spot patterns in the data they are based on but they are not intended to be able to read actual values. Tables should be used to provide the exact values.


To help you plan your year 6 computing lesson on: Presenting data using charts, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

additional-material

File needed for this lesson

  • Completed party spreadsheet 70.78 KB (XLSX)
Reading back what a chart encourages pupils to understand what the data shows. Model this by verbalising what information different charts are presenting.
speech-bubble
Teacher tip
equipment-required

Equipment

Pupils need access to spreadsheet software.

copyright

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

Loading...

6 Questions

Q1.
Why is it important to organise data?
Correct answer: to make it easier to understand
to make it look pretty
to make it harder to find
to confuse others
Q2.
What is a spreadsheet?
a piece of paper with data
a tool for drawing pictures
Correct answer: an electronic document for organising data
a type of graph
Q3.
Match the terms with their definitions.
Correct Answer:row,a horizontal line of data
tick

a horizontal line of data

Correct Answer:column,a vertical group of data
tick

a vertical group of data

Correct Answer:cell,a rectangular box in a spreadsheet
tick

a rectangular box in a spreadsheet

Correct Answer:formula,a calculation in a spreadsheet
tick

a calculation in a spreadsheet

Correct Answer:function,a ready-made instruction for a calculation
tick

a ready-made instruction for a calculation

Correct Answer:range,a group of cells next to each other
tick

a group of cells next to each other

Q4.
What is the cell reference for the first cell in a spreadsheet?
Correct Answer: A1
Q5.
If we wanted to add up all the cells between B2 to B10 using a function, what would we type in?
Correct Answer: =SUM(B2:B10), =SUM (B2:B10), = SUM (B2:B10)
Q6.
What is a budget used for?
organising data
calculating totals
creating graphs
Correct answer: planning spending

6 Questions

Q1.
What is the main purpose of a chart?
to organise raw data
to calculate totals
Correct answer: to represent data graphically
to format a spreadsheet
Q2.
Match the terms with their definitions.
Correct Answer:chart,a graphical representation of data values
tick

a graphical representation of data values

Correct Answer:pie chart,a circular chart showing percentages of a total
tick

a circular chart showing percentages of a total

Correct Answer:bar chart,a chart that uses rectangles to compare different data values
tick

a chart that uses rectangles to compare different data values

Correct Answer:table,a structured way of showing exact data values
tick

a structured way of showing exact data values

Q3.
What does a pie chart show?
data in rows and columns
Correct answer: percentages of a whole
exact data values
mathematical operations
Q4.
What type of chart uses rectangles to compare different data values?
Correct Answer: bar chart, bar-chart, bar
Q5.
What is a common limitation of charts?
They are difficult to create.
They don’t show patterns.
Correct answer: They don’t provide exact values.
They can’t be used with tables.
Q6.
Which of the following is true about charts and tables?
Correct answer: Charts are not suitable for showing exact values.
Tables are always harder to understand than charts.
Tables are better for spotting patterns in data.
The only type of chart is a pie chart.