1512: Post #1: Sure: I'll take some pie!

Analyzing data can be done in a variety of ways. There's the dot plot, the stem-and-leaf, pictographs, histographs, bar graphs, pie graphs, line graphs, scatterplots, and box-and-whisker plots; just to name a few. While I have always been a very visually receptive learner, I was having a hard time picking up the need for all of these different ways to show the same idea. I was also interested to see how all of these data analysis methods are introduced to students and at what age.
Upon further research into the benefits and limitations of each, I can now appreciate the multitude of options. The box-and-whisker plot is a good way to visually show a range of data that has been collected. They are relatively easy to produce when given the data and can be adjusted fairly easily with the addition of more data. The bar graph is good to use when trying to determine the difference between the information given. The same could be said with a pie graph. If I wanted to see which of our expenses cost the most money compared to the others; I would use one of these methods. Actually seeing how much of the "pie" is being eaten has a profound effect on budget crunching and the ability to let little luxuries go.
As for the grade level for when these different graphs are introduced to our students; it is all relative to the curriculum. Some states require a basic knowledge of it in elementary grades and others keep that same requirement for graduation of high school. Districts also vary from what they feel is important to introduce and what has worked for them in the past with success in regard to testing.
Some students will have never seen a box-and-whisker plot until they are in college taking a class on how to teach elementary students math (ie- me). Most younger students enjoy the graphs with pictures or with the answer written on it. I found this website BrainPop Jr., which has some great resources for teachers who are trying to come up with fun ways to present ideas of all kinds to their students. It is geared toward younger students, but the site overall is a good resource for most elementary school math skills.