1 - Welcome & Warm-up
Warm-up (30 seconds): Think about your Numbers Sheet from Lesson 6. What was the biggest number? What was the smallest number? Jot down one sentence about what those numbers tell you about your Something Real project.
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
- Interpret results from charts (LCA ICT Module 3 Unit 2 - Spreadsheets)
- Write clear interpretations of bar and pie charts
- Link chart insights to decisions for your Something Real project
- Develop data literacy skills for LCA and future vocational work
This lesson adds your Decision-Changing Chart page to your Digital Portfolio — the week's non-negotiable artifact.
2 - Key Concepts
How to Interpret Charts
A good chart interpretation answers three questions:
- What does it show? Biggest/smallest values, patterns, comparisons
- Why does it matter? What does this tell us about the real situation?
- What decision does it change? 'The chart shows X, so I'm going to do Y.'
Worked Example: School Fundraiser
Bar Chart: Costs of different fundraising events
- What: Bake sale (€250) costs more than car wash (€180)
- Why: Ingredients + equipment vs water + soap
- Decision: 'The chart shows bake sale costs €70 more, so I'm going to do the car wash.'
Pie Chart: How last year's funds were spent
- What: Sports (€400, 57%) > Library (€150, 21%)
- Why: School prioritises sports equipment
- Decision: 'The chart shows sports gets most funding, so I'll pitch sports equipment.'
3 - Practice Interpretation
Practice writing chart interpretations using Chart 1 (Galway TY Trip transport costs bar chart) and Chart 2 (budget split pie chart) below. Follow the 3-question structure from Key Concepts (What/Why/Decision). Write 3-4 sentences under each chart in your word processor.
- Each interpretation names the biggest AND smallest value
- Each interpretation links to a decision ('so I'm going to...')
- Each interpretation is 3-4 sentences using the What/Why/Decision structure
How to Use This Activity:
Option 1: Students on Devices
- Students complete the Step-by-Step Tutorial activity on their own laptop or tablet.
- Students follow step-by-step instructions on their devices. Instructions are tailored for their platform (Windows/Mac/Chromebook) and application (Microsoft 365/Google Workspace).
- Walk around the room to monitor progress and assist students who need help.
Option 2: Teacher-Led (Whiteboard/Projector)
- Display the activity on your interactive whiteboard or projector.
- Display the tutorial on the whiteboard while students follow along on their devices. Switch between Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace tabs as needed for your classroom setup.
- Invite students up to interact with the board, or have them call out answers from their desks.
4 - Portfolio Build: Decision-changing Chart
Your Digital Portfolio artifact: Create your Decision-Changing Chart page. Choose one chart from your Lesson 6 Numbers Sheet that changes a decision about your Something Real project. Follow the guided steps below.
'The chart shows promotional costs (€45) are highest at 30% of budget, while venue (€30) is lowest at 20%. This matters because promotion drives attendance but eats most of the budget. The chart shows I should cut promotion spend and use free social media instead.'
How to Use This Activity:
Option 1: Students on Devices
- Students complete the Step-by-Step Tutorial activity on their own laptop or tablet.
- Students follow step-by-step instructions on their devices. Instructions are tailored for their platform (Windows/Mac/Chromebook) and application (Microsoft 365/Google Workspace).
- Walk around the room to monitor progress and assist students who need help.
Option 2: Teacher-Led (Whiteboard/Projector)
- Display the activity on your interactive whiteboard or projector.
- Display the tutorial on the whiteboard while students follow along on their devices. Switch between Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace tabs as needed for your classroom setup.
- Invite students up to interact with the board, or have them call out answers from their desks.
5 - Reflection
Add these reflection answers to your Portfolio Build document:
- How did spotting the biggest/smallest value help you make a decision?
- What was harder — seeing what the chart shows, or linking it to a decision?
- How will chart interpretation help in your future work/studies?
Troubleshooting (if copy/paste didn't work):
- Screenshot method: Windows: {{kbd:PrtScn}} → paste in Paint → save → insert image. Mac: {{kbd:Cmd+Shift+4}} → drag over chart → paste. Chromebook: {{kbd:Ctrl+Show Windows}} → select area → copy.
- No chart in spreadsheet? Go back to Lesson 6 and create one using your Numbers Sheet data.
How to Use This Activity:
Option 1: Students on Devices
- Students complete the Step-by-Step Tutorial activity on their own laptop or tablet.
- Students follow step-by-step instructions on their devices. Instructions are tailored for their platform (Windows/Mac/Chromebook) and application (Microsoft 365/Google Workspace).
- Walk around the room to monitor progress and assist students who need help.
Option 2: Teacher-Led (Whiteboard/Projector)
- Display the activity on your interactive whiteboard or projector.
- Display the tutorial on the whiteboard while students follow along on their devices. Switch between Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace tabs as needed for your classroom setup.
- Invite students up to interact with the board, or have them call out answers from their desks.
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