This EASY AS PIE! webquest contains everything you ever wanted to know about a PIE CHART,
known in the elite math world as a 'circle graph'. This assignment will help you become
completely comfortable with reading pie charts, interpreting the data in pie charts, creating your
own pie charts, and understanding just how pie charts are used out in the real world.
Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to become an expert at pie charts. First,
you'll create your own pie chart about your friends on your computer, then you'll be asked
to answer some questions about your own pie chart in your Math Journal. Next, you'll read
others' pie charts, and will then answer some questions about the data delivered in that
pie chart. But why is understanding a pie chart important? In the last part of our
assignment, we'll find out how real people use real pie charts everyday in real life, create a
final, creative pie chart masterpiece, and maybe go on a treasure hunt for real pie charts
at home and at school.
Although pie charts are always circular graphs, they come in lots of different styles and
colors, as you’ve seen by the visuals in this webquest. The only limitation is your own
creativity. As you work through the following assignments, keep an ongoing list in your
Math Journal of fun, eye-catching and creative possibilities for your own pie chart final
project. You might photograph slices of a real pie, or use pizza, or even place different
colored marbles in a round cookie tin. Art knows no bounds, so be creative. You’ll be
working with your partner, so you can also brainstorm your ideas together.
ACTIVITY 1- MY FRIENDS (Labeling each activity in your Math Journal to keep this
whole assignment organized would be a great idea. Do it now!)
Let’s start with making your own simple pie chart. First, make a list of the names of ten
friends or family members in your Math Journal. Then put a 1 next to any names that
start with any letter between or including A-E. Put a 2 next to any names that start with
the letters D-H. Put a 3 next to any names that start with the letters I-M, a 4 next to
any names that start with N-R, and a 5 next to any names that begin with a letter between
S-Z.
Next, go to the site: http://illuminations.nctm.org/ActivityDetail.aspx?ID=60
DIRECTIONS: To create your own pie chart, or circle graph, first select a data set, just
above the pie chart visual. Type in MY FRIENDS. Then describe your data creatively yet
clearly - something like MY FRIENDS' NAMES FROM A TO Z. You’ll want your pie chart
descriptions to be clear, so that others can read your pie charts easily and
correctly. Lastly, enter your date below. Following the example given, put the number of
friends who have a 1 by their name, then a comma, then enter the letters A-E. Example: 3,
A-E. Do this for all ten friends, then click UPDATE and take a look at your colorful
creation! Can you read it? (There are also instructions at the top of the web page if you
need additional help.) Please draw a copy of your pie chart in your Math Journal. Make
sure to include the labels on the chart AND the color key. Then answer the following
questions below your pie chart art:
1. Why is a color key important when creating or reading a pie chart?
2. Do you notice any interesting similarities between the numbers you entered - the
VALUES, and the numbers in the PERCENTAGE column of the key? If so, why do you think
that is?
3. The sum of the VALUES is 10. Without adding, what do you think the sum of the
PERCENTAGES will be? Why?
Okay! Let’s try another one, because practice makes perfect…
ACTIVITY 2: OUR FAVORITE COLOR IS… (Remember, first put this label in your
Math Journal to keep your assignment organized.)
Please go to: http://nces.ed.gov/nceskids/createagraph/default.aspx
First, click on the Examples section on the left, and then click on the pie chart icon
(second from the bottom) about airline on-time statistics and delay causes. This will show
you how a real pie chart is used. After studying the pie chart provided, write three
questions in your Math Journal for your partner to answer about this pie chart. Make sure
you know and include the answers. For instance, you could ask “Which causes more airline
delays – volume or a closed runway?” (Answer: Volume.) Then take turns reading your
questions to your partner. Have your partner write your questions for them as well their
answers in THEIR Math Journals, while you write and answer their questions
in yours. Lastly, check each other's answers, and work together to make sure you both
understand the information on this pie chart.
Next, without discussing it with your partner, make a guess in your Math Journal as to
what color will turn out to be you and your partner's favorite. Let’s see if you’re right!
Click on DESIGN (down the right side of the pie chart visual), and begin creating your own
circle graph. Choose a PIE chart, then go on to DATA. This time, your graph title will be
OUR FAVORITE COLOR and your source should be OUR CLOTHES. Again, start by
making a list in your Math Journal of all of the clothes you and your partner are wearing
today along with their colors – the colors in your pants or skirt, your shirt, your socks,
your shoes, the jacket your wore to school, even jewelry or hair accessories. Count how
many different colors you’ve written down and put that number in the Data Set section –
this is how many sections, or slices, will show up in your pie chart. Then list each color
under Item Label, and list how many articles of clothing you found that are that color
under the section called Value. Then change the colors in the last column to make your pie
chart even more accurate. Next, check out the tab marked Labels (it’s about how you want
the labels on your pie chart to look) and click on Preview to see your masterpiece! When
you have it completed to your satisfaction, please print two copies, sign your names on
both, and staple or tape these into your Math Journals, and answer the following questions
in your Journals:
1. Does your pie chart accurately show your favorite color? Does it match your guess?
2. Please explain what your pie chart DOES show in a sentence or two, and if you found any
surprises.
ACTIVITY 3- READING TINA’S PIE CHART
Let’s practice reading an unfamiliar pie chart some more.
Go to: http://www.tv411.org/lessons/cfm/reading.cfm?str=reading&num=10&act=3&que=1
Please answer the 8 questions about Tina’s Monthly Living Expenses, then answer the
following questions in your Math Journal:
1. How well do you think you did? How many questions out of 8 did you and your partner
get right on the first try?
2. Was Tina’s pie chart easy to read and understand? What suggestions do you have for
making it better?
3. Which question was the toughest? Were there other tough questions? Why do you
think these were difficult?
ACTIVITY 4- PIZZA PIE WORKSHEET/ GAME AND M&M’s WORKSHEET
Please get a copy of the Favorite Types of Pizza worksheet (on the table), answer all of
the questions with your partner, then place the worksheet into your Math Journal.
For a more challenging worksheet, pick up the Game/M&M worksheet and create your own
pie graphs by filling in the blank circles with the data given, then place the worksheet in
your Math Journal, then explain WHY you’ll have to count the TOTAL number of items to
be represented in each chart before beginning to divide the pie.
ACTIVITY 5- CHARLIE, THE RESTAURANT OWNER
Go to: http://www.mathplayground.com/MathApprentice/restaurant_owner.html
Read about how Charlie, the owner of Sweet Treat Café, uses charts and graphs in order
to help him run his restaurant.
Next, go to: http://www.coolhunting.com/food-drink/the-economist-b.php to see how
another company used pie charts to ‘decorate’ their packaging. Then answer the questions
below in your Math Journals:
1. How would Charlie use a pie graph in his restaurant?
2. Can you think of any other professions that might use pie charts? Make a list.
3. How might a company that mixes different types of concrete use pie charts?
4. How might your favorite store at the mall use a pie chart?
5. How might a school use a pie chart in a presentation to the parents of all of its
students?
Now that you know how to read and understand pie charts, are you and your partner ready
to create your own PIE CHART MASTERPIECE? YES!
FINAL PROJECT:
Have you and your partner been brainstorming creative ways to make your own final pie
chart during this assignment? Take some time to think about it some more and add to your
list. You'll also need to brainstorm a list of possible ideas for the content of your pie
chart. It could be anything from charting all of your classmates' favorite ice cream
flavors to graphing the number of hours (out of 24) you spend during a normal day
sleeping, playing, doing homework, going to school, or eating. Go on a treasure hunt around
your home or school, look through magazines or online, and find good examples to use as
reference material. (You can even bring in some examples, with your parents' permission,
for an extra credit point.) Remember, be creative! You and your partner should use
interesting materials, be original and unique, and have fun!
GOOD LUCK!