Examples
Gloria is keeping track of her money every week. She starts with $10.00, after one week she has $7.50, after two weeks she has $12.00 and after three weeks she has $6.25. Represent the amount of money she has using a line graph.Clarifications
Clarification 1: Within this benchmark, the expectation is for an estimation of fractional and decimal heights on line graphs.Clarification 2: Decimal values are limited to hundredths. Denominators are limited to 1, 2, 3 and 4. Fractions can be greater than one.
Benchmark Instructional Guide
Connecting Benchmarks/Horizontal Alignment
Terms from the K-12 Glossary
- Line Graphs
- Line Plots
Vertical Alignment
Previous Benchmarks
Next Benchmarks
Purpose and Instructional Strategies
The purpose of this benchmark is to collect and display authentic numerical data in tables, line graphs or line plots, including fractional and decimal values. Students have represented whole number and fractional values using tables, stem-and-leaf plots and line plots in grade 4 (MA.4.DP.1.1). In grade 6, this work will extend to box plots and histograms (MA.6.DP.1.5).- Instruction with line graphs should develop the understanding that values in this graph often represent data that changes over time.
- Instruction should include identifying the meaning of the points presented on the x-axis and y-axis with both axes being labeled correctly.
Common Misconceptions or Errors
- For line plots, students may misread a number line and have difficulty because they use whole-number names when counting fractional parts on a number line instead of the fraction name.
Strategies to Support Tiered Instruction
- Instruction includes opportunities to use concrete models and draw number lines to connect learning with fraction understanding. Students plot fourths on the number line, paying particular attention to what each tick mark and the “distance” between each tick mark represents.
- Example:

- For example, utilizing fraction strips or tiles, students will be able to connect fractional parts to the measurement on a number line.

Instructional Tasks
Instructional Task 1 (MTR.3.1)
Claire studied the amount of water in different glasses. The data she collected is below. Use her data to create a line plot to show the amount of water in the glasses.
Instructional Items
Instructional Item 1
A line graph is shown.- Part A. What is the approximate change in the kitten’s mass, in grams, between Days 3 and 4?
- Part B. What is the approximate change in the kitten’s mass, in grams, between Days 2 and 5?
*The strategies, tasks and items included in the B1G-M are examples and should not be considered comprehensive.
Related Courses
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Formative Assessment
Lesson Plans
Original Student Tutorials
MFAS Formative Assessments
Original Student Tutorials Mathematics - Grades K-5
Help build a Grasshopper Hut for Gus by creating line plots and answering questions about the line plots in this interactive tutorial.
Learn to interpret data presented on a line plot and use operations on fractions to solve problems involving information presented in line plots as you complete this beach-themed, interactive tutorial.
Student Resources
Original Student Tutorials
Help build a Grasshopper Hut for Gus by creating line plots and answering questions about the line plots in this interactive tutorial.
Type: Original Student Tutorial
Learn to interpret data presented on a line plot and use operations on fractions to solve problems involving information presented in line plots as you complete this beach-themed, interactive tutorial.
Type: Original Student Tutorial