- Definition
A broken-line graph uses connected straight lines to show how something changes over a period of time, like how a child's height changes each year.
A graph showing daily temperature for a week would have a point for each day, with lines connecting them to show if it got warmer or cooler.
How to teach this in 30 seconds
Try this analogy: A broken-line graph is like connecting the marks on a doorframe that show how much you've grown each year.
Ask your child: What story is this graph telling about what happened over time?
Common mix-up: Kids may think the line shows exact data for the times between the points. The line just connects the measured points to show the general trend of change.
Examples
- Tracking how a plant's height changes each week.
- Tracking how much rain falls in your city each month over a year.
broken-line graph is a term used in Ontario’s Kindergarten to Grade 8 curriculum.
Where this shows up
The descriptions on this page are SmartStudy’s own original, plain-language writing — not the Ministry’s wording. They are aligned to the Ontario Curriculum, © King’s Printer for Ontario. For the Ministry’s official wording, see the source link below. SmartStudy is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Government of Ontario or the Ministry of Education. Ontario Curriculum and Resources ↗
