Data Handling and Presentation: common misconceptions

If your child says… “Words cannot be data.”

Ask together

What do these words tell us about people's choices?

What’s true

Recorded choices give information even before anyone counts them.

If your child says… “Five tallies need five standing lines.”

Ask together

How many strokes will the crossed group contain?

What’s true

The fifth stroke crosses the earlier four, making a group easy to recognise.

If your child says… “A half picture counts like a whole picture.”

Ask together

Does the leftover bean fill a pair?

What’s true

A half picture records half the quantity given by the key.

If your child says… “Each square always means one bean.”

Ask together

What count does the first step above zero show?

What’s true

The chosen scale tells how many beans each square of height represents.

If your child says… “The bigger-looking picture must mean a greater height.”

Ask together

Do the chickpea bars reach different numbers on the scales?

What’s true

Extra width makes a bar look bigger without adding any height.