Using a Spreadsheet to Organize Data and Make a Graph

Average Snowfall in Washington, D.C.

 

  1. Use ClarisWorks to make a bar graph to show the average snowfall in Washington, D.C.
  2. After opening ClarisWorks, select Word Processing.
  3. Make the tools available. (View/Show tools.)
  4. Select the Spreadsheet tool and click and drag to make a spreadsheet with 8 rows and 2 columns.


    Month
    Average Snowfall in inches

    October

    0.1

    November

    1.0

    December

    3.1

    January

    6.2

    February

    6.3

    March

    1.6

    April

    trace (less than 0.1)

  5. Type in the column headings
  6. Type in the months of the year when snowfall is possible. Use three-letter abbreviations for the names of the months.
  7. Now type in your data.
  8. To make your graph:
    • Highlight all of your data including the column headings.
    • Click on Options in the menu bar and drag to Make chart.
    • Select bar graph and click OK.


The idea for this graphing activity came from The Unofficial Student Activity for Bob Ryan's 1999 Almanac & Guide for the Weatherwise.
The data used in this activity was taken from Bob Ryan's 1999 Almanac & Guide for the Weatherwise.


Joanne Goodwin, Technology Resource Teacher
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