Line graphs: rises and falls: what children learn
In this game each card gives two readings from a temperature line graph, and children match it to the change: how much it rose or fell. Saying both the direction and the size of the change is what makes an answer complete.
Enrichment: line graphs are not a Common Core standard. The nearest is graphing points to solve real-world problems in 5.G.A.2.
How to play
Pick a card on the left, then the card on the right that matches it. Each game has 6 pairs. Wrong matches are counted as mistakes, and you get three stars for a game with no mistakes.
Step by step
- Find the two readings. Go up from each time to the line, then across to the scale.
- Decide the direction. If the line goes up from left to right, the temperature rose. If it goes down, it fell.
- Find the size of the change. Subtract the smaller reading from the larger one.
- Say it in full. For example: it rose by 9°C between 6:00 and 9:00.
Worked examples
Example 1: 4°C at 6:00 and 13°C at 9:00
Working: 13 − 4 = 9, and the line goes up.
Answer: rose by 9°C
Example 2: 18°C at 2:00 and 11°C at 4:00
Working: 18 − 11 = 7, and the line goes down.
Answer: fell by 7°C
Example 3: 30°C at 5:00 and 28°C at 6:00
Working: 30 − 28 = 2, and the line goes down.
Answer: fell by 2°C
Common mistakes and how to fix them
- Giving the size of the change but not its direction. Always say 'rose by' or 'fell by'.
- Subtracting in the wrong order and getting stuck. Subtract the smaller number from the larger, then decide the direction from the graph.
- Reading values between grid lines as the nearest labeled number. Check the scale step and estimate between the lines.
Activities to try at home
- Track the temperature on a phone weather app over a day and talk about the biggest rise.
- Draw a line graph of a plant's height each week.
- Ask: when did the temperature change the most?
Ideas for the classroom
- Students mark the steepest part of a line graph and explain why the change is biggest there.
- Give a story and ask students to sketch a line graph that fits it.
- Compare two line graphs on the same axes, such as temperatures in two cities.
Free printable game and worksheet
The free printable starts with a game sheet, such as a color-by-answer picture, an answer maze or a secret-code joke, followed by a worksheet. Both use the same checked questions as the online game, and the answers are on the last page. Print it, or save it as a PDF from your browser’s print menu.
Open the free printable game and worksheet
Frequently asked questions
How should I choose this game for my learner?
Enrichment: line graphs are not a Common Core standard. The nearest is graphing points to solve real-world problems in 5.G.A.2.
Why do line graphs suit temperature?
Temperature changes continuously over time, so joining the readings with a line shows the values in between.
Can it be played with a keyboard?
Yes. Tab to a card, press Enter to pick it, then pick its partner.