Make data collection and graphing meaningful and fun with our MY FAVOURITE WEATHER GRAPHING ACTIVITY! This hands-on resource helps students explore tally marks, bar graphs and simple data interpretation through a topic they can easily relate to – their favourite type of weather. With clear visuals, an engaging class survey and a creative craft component, this activity is the perfect way to combine maths, literacy and classroom discussion into one purposeful task.

Students begin by choosing whether they prefer hot or cold weather, then survey their classmates to find out the most popular choice. As they collect responses, they record results using tally marks and then convert this information into a bar graph. This reinforces important mathematical concepts, such as organising data, identifying quantities, and comparing results, while providing students with an opportunity to discuss their preferences in a social and interactive context.

MY FAVOURITE WEATHER GRAPHING ACTIVITY also includes a simple, eye-catching craft that students can create to represent their personal weather choice. These finished crafts can be displayed alongside each student’s graph to create a vibrant and data-rich classroom display. For an even richer cross-curricular experience, pair this activity with our Favourite Weather: Persuasive Writing activity to support students in linking their graphing work to opinion writing.

Key Learning Outcomes:

• ✅ Collect and record data using tally marks
• ✅ Represent data using a simple column/bar graph
• ✅ Interpret data using terms such as “most”, “least”, and “equal”
• ✅ Connect mathematical data to personal preferences and communication skills
• ✅ Build confidence in early graphing and data comparison skills

What’s Included:

• Survey and graphing worksheet for tally and bar graph creation
• Student craft templates for hot and cold weather options
• Simple layout with student-friendly visuals
• Optional persuasive writing link available via paired Top Teacher resource

Materials Needed:

• Printed graphing and craft templates
• Pencils or markers for tallying and colouring
• Scissors and glue sticks for the craft component
• Optional: display materials such as backing paper or bulletin board space

How to Use:

1. Have students record their own favourite type of weather (hot or cold).
2. Guide students to survey their classmates and record responses using tally marks.
3. Students total their tallies and use the data to complete a bar graph.
4. Use the included craft templates to decorate their final piece based on their chosen weather.
5. Create a classroom display featuring all student graphs and crafts.

Ideas for Classroom Use:

• 💡 Use during a data unit or as part of your classroom discussions on seasons and weather
• 💡 Include in your maths rotations as a hands-on task with social interaction
• 💡 Pair with weather-themed texts or science lessons for an integrated experience
• 💡 Link with the persuasive writing version of this resource for a powerful cross-curricular project
• 💡 Display completed crafts and graphs to encourage conversations about data interpretation

Teacher Tips:

• 💛 Model how to survey peers and record tally marks correctly before students begin
• 💛 Use sentence starters to support data analysis discussions – e.g. “The most popular weather is…”
• 💛 Encourage students to write one or two sentences about what their graph shows to build data communication skills
• 💛 Challenge early finishers to survey other classes or staff members and compare results
• 💛 Reinforce probability and chance concepts by discussing how weather preferences might change across seasons

MY FAVOURITE WEATHER GRAPHING ACTIVITY blends data collection, graphing and creativity into one engaging package – helping students connect maths to their world in a way that is both visual and meaningful.