The idea, step by step
One picture for one response
A display can use a dot or picture for each answer. Read its key. Here one dot means one vote.
Count the dots in each named row. Apple has three dots, banana two and pear one.
Make the display fair
Use the same-sized symbols and equal spaces. Start rows at the same place so they are easy to compare.
Leave a category row empty if nobody chose it. Do not add a dot just to fill the row.
A common trap
A bigger dot must stand for more votes.
Instead: Read the key. In a one-to-one display, each dot still represents one response.
See the thinking
Read a row
How many votes did banana receive?
- Find the banana row.
- Count its two dots using the one-dot key.
Show no choices
In the colour display, how many votes did green receive?
- Find the green row.
- There are no dots in that row.
Check your understanding
The key says one star means one child. A row has four stars. How many children does it show?
Show answer
4 children.
Count four symbols, with one child for each symbol.
Your turn
6 questions · Work at your own pace.
Read the questions online
- In the fruit display, how many dots are in the apple row?
- In the fruit display, how many votes did pear receive?
- Draw a display for 2 red choices and 3 blue choices. Let one circle mean one choice.
- A row shows five pictures. Each picture means one response. How many responses are shown?
- In the colour display, what does the empty green row mean?
- Why should dots in different rows be the same size and equally spaced?
Read the worked solutions
- In the fruit display, how many dots are in the apple row?
Count the three symbols.
3. - In the fruit display, how many votes did pear receive?
Its row has one dot.
1 vote. - Draw a display for 2 red choices and 3 blue choices. Let one circle mean one choice.
Use equal symbols and keep the categories clear.
Two circles beside Red and three beside Blue, with a one-circle key. - A row shows five pictures. Each picture means one response. How many responses are shown?
Use the one-to-one key.
5 responses. - In the colour display, what does the empty green row mean?
No symbol means no response in that category.
Nobody chose green: 0 votes. - Why should dots in different rows be the same size and equally spaced?
The drawing should not make fewer votes look like a longer row.
It makes the rows easy and fair to compare.
Curriculum reference & lesson scope
Australian Curriculum v9 / SA Curriculum 2026
Year 1 categorical questions, response collection, lists, one-to-one displays and comparison of frequencies.
Official curriculum source ↗