How can you tell they’ve got it: Tables, charts, and graphs?

If they’ve got it, you’ll see things like: Constructs a table with column headings that include quantity and unit (e.g. Mass / g); Selects the appropriate graph type for the data and plots it accurately with labelled axes and scales; Draws a line of best fit for linear data and correctly calculates its gradient using two points. Or just try it together: If your child collected data on how spring length changes with the weight added, could they put it in a correct table, plot it as a line graph with axes labelled in the right units, draw a line of best fit, and calculate the gradient?

Science Scientific Inquiry Ages 12–13

Tables, charts, and graphs

Your child can build a data table with units and plot the right graph. They draw a best-fit line and work out its slope from two points on it.

In curriculum terms

Construct data tables with correct headings and SI units, plot appropriate graph types (bar chart, line graph, scatter graph), draw a line of best fit, and calculate the gradient of a straight-line graph

Ages are typical, not deadlines — follow your child’s pace. How to help at home →

How to tell they’ve got it

Tick these off as you see them — no test required.

Constructs a table with column headings that include quantity and unit (e.g. Mass / g)
Selects the appropriate graph type for the data and plots it accurately with labelled axes and scales
Draws a line of best fit for linear data and correctly calculates its gradient using two points

🖨 Print this page to keep the checklist — it prints beautifully.

Try this together

If your child collected data on how spring length changes with the weight added, could they put it in a correct table, plot it as a line graph with axes labelled in the right units, draw a line of best fit, and calculate the gradient?

Where this sits on the map

Stuck here? Check the skills it builds on first. Confident? Here’s what it unlocks.

Builds on

Classifying living thingsages 9–11KS3 graphing (lines of best fit, gradients) extends KS2 ability to construct and interpret line graphs and scatter graphs

Bar graphsages 8–9Science inquiry recording data in tables and graphs draws on the bar chart and time graph skills from Math data representation

Repeated tests for reliabilityages 11–12Correct use of SI units and significant figures in tables and axes is grounded in the precision/accuracy topic

Tables, charts, and graphsthis skill · ages 12–13

Unlocks

Drawing conclusions from evidenceages 12–13Drawing quantitative conclusions and identifying systematic errors requires the ability to plot and read graphs correctly

solid = must come firstdashed = helps

Curriculum alignment

Where this fits in the official school curriculum — our best automated guess, not yet checked by a person.

This skill sits beyond Year 6 in the Australian Curriculum, so no F–6 code is matched. It also sits beyond the NSW K–6 syllabuses. It also sits beyond Level 6 in the Victorian Curriculum.

Nearby on the map

Drawing conclusions from evidenceages 12–13 Controlling variablesages 11–12 Repeated tests for reliabilityages 11–12 Writing Science Reportsages 13–14

All Scientific Inquiry skills →