Trends, changes, and comparisons are shown through graphs, and students learn why one kind of graph may work better than another to show a certain type of information. Students read introductions that lead them to actual tables and graphs, which, in this book, are based on facts about American history. For the most part, students answer questions about the tables and graphs presented to them, finish incomplete graphs and tables, and fill in their own using personal data. In one activity, for example, students read a picture graph that shows how many ships used the New York harbor in certain years during the eighteenth century. After completing sentences using the information on the graph, they read a similar graph from 1980 to 1984.
Students then discuss and answer a series of questions using all of the information.
The book provides review activities. History of science.