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Lesson details

Learning outcome

I can identify different data types used.

Key learning points

  1. Some data uses numbers and some uses words.
  2. Different data types are used for different purposes.
  3. Choosing the right data type makes information we find clearer.

Keywords

  • Data type - the kind of data, such as words or numbers

  • Word - a group of letters that has a meaning

  • Number - a symbol used for counting or measuring

Common misconception

Attributes are always numbers.

Some attributes are better shown using words.

Teacher tip

A key point in this lesson is helping pupils understand that some attributes are better shown using numbers and some using words. Take time to discuss why one data type may make information clearer than another.

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
(Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

4 Questions

Q1.
Which of these is an attribute of a pet?

Correct answer: brown
friendly
fun

Q2.
Which attribute can be counted?

colour
Correct answer: age
eye colour

Q3.
Match each attribute to what it describes.

Correct Answer:colour,what colour the pet is

what colour the pet is

Correct Answer:number of legs,how many legs the pet has

how many legs the pet has

Correct Answer:fur type,what the pet's fur is like

what the pet's fur is like

Q4.
Which sentence uses an attribute to describe a pet?

I like this pet.
This pet is the best.
Correct answer: The pet is orange.

4 Questions

Q1.
Which list shows data recorded in two different ways?

brown, fluffy, black
3, 4, 2
Correct answer: brown, 3, fluffy

Q2.
Which of these attributes is recorded using a number?

Correct answer: height
colour
eye colour

Q3.
Why are different data types used?

because date must always be a number
Correct answer: because some attributes need to be recorded a different way
because words are better than numbers

Q4.
Match each attribute to the data type used.

Correct Answer:birthday,date

date

Correct Answer:colour,word

word

Correct Answer:number of legs,number

number


To help you plan your 2 digital literacy lesson on: Types of pet data, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...