Data Handling

     Pictographs, histograms, bar graphs, line graphs and pie chart are graphical organisers used to represent data in clear and concise way. They are normally seen in newspapers, magazines, on television, and on the internert to present data in a clear way. Pie charts are used to compare parts of  a whole. For example, a pie chart for a mathematics test score will show the ratio of pupils obtaining grades A, B, C, and D. A Pie chart uses percentages or fractions to compare the data. In a pie chart, the whole is equal to 100%, which is also 1. How did pie charts first come into use?         The best-known pioneer of statistical graphics was William  Playfair, who published the first "pie chart" in 1801. It was in a graphic form showing that, as compared to other countries, Britain was paying more tex. In 1859, Florence Nightingale produced the most famous graphics that illustrated what she called the "loss of an army" referring the British army sent to Crimea. As she suspected that this army was hit by disaster due to bad hygiene, she used data to persuade the Government to improve army hygiene.      Just like other graphic organisers,  the pie charts are used widely not only in the mass media but they are also used in the dealings of most careers. Teachers, holders, manufacturers, and people of many other careers use these graphic organisers in their daily routines. As such, it is important to prepare pupils to be able to read, understand and construct these graphs and charts. The Year % Mathematics syllabus had exposed pupils to the use of bar graphs. In Year 6, pupils are exposed to the use of pie charts.    The Data Handling unit in Year 6 Textbook contains activities that lead to the reading, understanding and constructing of pie charts for appropriate situations that are in familiar contexts to pupils. It also provides suitable hands-on activities to reinforce learning.