data Vocabulary
JamWise Education TeamยทUpdated March 2026
The data strand is a core part of the K-8 math curriculum. It encompasses 10 vocabulary terms that students encounter as they progress from kindergarten through 8th grade. Each term builds on previous knowledge, creating a spiral of deepening understanding that prepares learners for increasingly complex concepts.
Understanding data vocabulary is essential for classroom discussions, assessments, and real-world application. Below you will find every term organized by grade level, so teachers and parents can quickly identify which words are appropriate for their students and explore definitions tailored to each developmental stage.
Kindergarten
(1 term)
3rd Grade
(5 terms)
Bar graph
A graph that uses bars of different heights or lengths to compare amounts of data.
Data
Information collected by counting, measuring, or asking questions, often organized in charts or graphs.
Line plot
A graph that shows data by placing marks (usually X's) above numbers on a number line.
Picture graph
A graph that uses small pictures or symbols to show data. Each picture can stand for one or more items.
Scale
The numbers along the side or bottom of a graph that help you read the data values.
5th Grade
(3 terms)Data
Facts, numbers, or measurements collected to analyze. Data can be shown in tables, charts, or graphs.
Line graph
A graph that uses points connected by line segments to show how data changes over time.
Line plot
A graph that uses marks above a number line to show how often values occur in a data set.