Pie Charts Small Steps
Step 1: Converting Proportions into Angles
If you know the proportion of each data category, you can calculate out how many degrees of the 360° circle each sector should be. Make sure to clearly model methods for converting proportions to angles. You can find plenty of examples in this Pie Charts KS2 Lesson Pack.
Step 2: Drawing the Pie Chart
Drawing pie charts needs to be carefully and explicitly taught using the right equipment (a pair of compasses, rulers and protractors). Give children plenty of time to practise constructing a variety of pie charts to build their confidence. A step-by-step guide which demonstrates how to draw pie charts accurately can be found in this KS2 Pie Charts Lesson Pack.
Step 3: Interpreting Pie Chart Data
Once the chart is drawn, ask questions to practice interpreting the data:
- Which category has the largest or smallest sector?
- What fraction or percentage of the total does a sector represent?
- If the total represents an amount (e.g. 400 children), how many children does each sector represent?
Model this skill by working through real-world examples step-by-step using this KS2 Pie Charts Lesson Pack.
Step 4: Problem-Solving with Pie Charts
This part often gets overlooked, but it’s essential for developing children's deep understanding.
Try these activities:
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Missing data: Provide pie charts with missing information and challenge children to calculate it using fractions, percentages or degrees.
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Create and compare: Use two pie charts (e.g. class votes for books and films) and ask children to compare them.
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Scaling problems: If the total changes (e.g. from 100 votes to 300 votes), how does each sector's value change?