- Definition
Distribution" is how you show a bunch of information, like survey results, in an organized way, often using pictures like bar graphs to make it easy to understand.
A bar graph showing the distribution of students' favorite pets in a classroom is a visual way to see the data.
How to teach this in 30 seconds
Try this analogy: Distribution is like sorting your Lego bricks by color to see how many of each you have.
Ask your child: If we sorted these crayons, which color would have the most?
Common mix-up: Kids may think distribution is just a random collection of things. It's actually an organized way of showing how many of each item you have in a group.
Examples
- A map showing the distribution of community helpers, like fire stations and hospitals, in a town.
- A tally chart showing the distribution of how many kids walk, bike, or ride the bus to school.
distribution 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 ↗
