Computing · Stage 6

Data Modelling & Honest Charts

Secondary-Ready · data — build a formula model that recalculates and predicts, then present the result with an honest chart (zero baseline · right type · clear labels)

✦ Computing📘 Stage 6 · S6⏱ ~13 min🧒 Ages 10–12★ Free to start

I can model with formulas and present it with an honest chart.

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Kavi's Reading Club Forecast

Kavi's reading club was growing! "How many books will we have read by Week 6?" asked a fox. Kavi opened a spreadsheet and wrote a formula — a rule that works out the answer from other cells: =start + rate × weeks. Change the rate and the answer recalculated by itself — that is a model, and Kavi could predict weeks nobody had read yet. Then Kavi drew a chart. A squirrel cut the bottom off the axis to make the club look like it had tripled. "That tricks the eye," Kavi hooted, and started the axis back at zero so every bar told the truth. "Model it with a formula — then present it with an honest chart."

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What your child will learn

1A model = a formula, its inputs and its outputA model is a formula plus the numbers you feed it. The formula is a rule written with cell references, like =B2 + B3*weeks. Change an input and the output recalculates by itself — so you can predict a value you have not measured yet. Tap each part to hear its job.

2An honest chart of the numbersOnce the model gives you numbers, show them with an honest chart. The value axis starts at zero, the steps are equal, every bar is the same width, and the axes are labelled — so the picture matches the numbers exactly.

3An honest chart tells the truth · a misleading one tricks the eyeThe same data can be drawn two ways. An honest chart lets the numbers speak. A misleading chart uses tricks — a cut axis, uneven steps, a 3-D tilt — to make the reader see more (or less) than the data really shows.

4Model it, then present it honestlyModelling and charting is a little plan — steps in order. Press ▶ Run and watch Kavi build a formula model and then present it with an honest chart.

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A peek inside

Kavi's model is total = start + rate × weeks. The club starts with 6 books and reads 4 a week. Predict the total after 5 weeks.

put the numbers into the formula: 6 + 4 × 5 = 6 + 20

Try this at home: A spreadsheet ____ works out a value from other cells.

Ready to play and learn?

Start the free interactive lesson, or print the handout for screen-free play.

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Part of Computing · Stage 6 · S6 on KAVI Academy — a secular, whole-child learning platform for ages 5–12.