Data & Graphing: My Favorite Mantra

Make data and graphing meaningful (and confidence-boosting!) with Data & Graphing: My Favorite Mantra—a simple, engaging activity that blends math skills with positive classroom community.

Students choose the mantra that best fits them, then the class tallies responses and graphs the results. It’s a quick way to practice foundational data skills while reinforcing encouraging self-talk.

What Students Do

• Pick a mantra: I am strong / I am learning / I am joyful / I am awesome / I am kind

• Record class choices using tally marks

• Graph the data in the grid

• Compare results and discuss “Which mantra had the most? the least? how many more?”

Skills Covered

• Counting and tally marks

• Collecting and organizing data

• Graphing (class graph / bar-style representation)

• Comparing quantities (more/less, most/least)

• Speaking & listening through math discussion prompts (optional)

Perfect For

• Morning meeting or daily check-in

• Math centers

• SEL + math integration

• Sub plans / quick review

• Whole group, small group, or partner work

Teacher Tip

Print and laminate for a reusable center—students can write tallies and graph with dry-erase markers!