Skittles Data Handling Investigation: Count, Sort, and Create a Bar Chart

What’s included?

This download includes seven A4, portrait orientation pdf sheets.

• Both Colour and Black & White versions of the 3 main activity sheets (6 pages).
• 1 Sheet of Printable Paper Skittles (for cutting and sorting/counting).

What's it for?

This three-step investigation uses Skittles to teach learners to become data experts by:

1. Sorting and Counting the coloured Skittles (data collection).
2. Organising and Recording the data onto a clear, simple bar chart.
3. Analysing the results by answering questions about the data.

Once this activity is complete your learners may be allowed to eat their Skittles as a reward, alternatively paper Skittles are provided.

Who’s it for?

This resource has been designed for early years children, pupils in years one and two as well as older students needing additional learning support.

Resource Details

The activity is structured for individual learners, using one 'portion' of Skittles (real or paper).

• Page 1 (Data Collection): Learners sort Skittles into 5 colour groups (red, orange, yellow, green, purple) and record the totals for each group.
• Page 2 (Data Organising): The recorded totals are then transferred onto a simple, clear bar chart.

Capacity Note: The bar chart can accommodate up to 16 Skittles of any single colour group.

• Page 3 (Data Analysis): Learners answer questions based on the bar chart, covering concepts like most/least, difference, odd/even, and ‘the same’.

Colour-names are printed clearly at the top of page 3 so that learners don’t need to think about colour-word spellings.

Important message…

Any issues with this resource please let us know - we are happy to make changes.