Graphing and prediction in the elementary school

If we wish students to become better problem solvers, we must lay the foundation in the elementary school. In particular, within the framework of the mathematics curriculum students must be given the opportunity to make and test educated guesses. One of the most fruitful areas for this is graphing. Graphing provides ideal situations in which children can make predictions and then see if their predictions come true. Three examples of graphing-and-predicting activities that can be used with elementary school children are described here. These examples are meant to act as catalysts for ideas. Children may well suggest alternative graphs or other activities based on the initial idea.