The idea, step by step
One picture for one response
A picture display can show the same data as a table. In this display, each circle stands for one child. Count three circles in the Apple row to find three choices.
The title explains the subject. Row labels name the choices. A key tells us what one symbol means.
Make comparisons fair
Use the same-sized symbols. Line up the starts of the rows and leave even spaces. A longer row then shows a larger number of responses fairly.
To show Dog 4, Cat 3 and Fish 2, draw four symbols beside Dog, three beside Cat and two beside Fish. Check each row against the original counts.
A common trap
Using one huge apple and one tiny pear, then comparing the picture sizes.
Instead: Use equal symbols and compare how many there are, not how large the pictures are.
See the thinking
Read a picture row
How many children chose pear?
- Find the row labelled Pear.
- Count its two circles.
- The key says one circle means one response.
Build a block display
Use one block per choice to show Animals 4, Space 2 and Stories 5.
| Type | Number |
|---|---|
| Animals | 4 |
| Space | 2 |
| Stories | 5 |
- Write a title and a label for each book type.
- Draw 4, 2 and 5 equal blocks in their rows.
- Line up the starts and add the key.
Check your understanding
A row has five circles. One circle means one child. How many children does it show?
Show answer
5 children.
Each of the five circles represents one child.
Your turn
6 questions · Work at your own pace.
Read the questions online
- How many children chose dog?
- Which fruit has the shortest row?
- Draw a picture display for pencil colours: Red 3, Blue 5, Green 2. Use one equal symbol per pencil.
- One block represents one response. A display has four blocks for Bus, but the table says Bus 2. What should change?
- Name two features that help someone understand a picture display.
- Draw a block display for the vehicle table. Use one block per vehicle and write a key.
Vehicles observed in five minutes. Vehicle Number Car 6 Bus 2 Bicycle 3
Read the worked solutions
- How many children chose dog?
Count four circles in the Dog row.
4 children. - Which fruit has the shortest row?
It has one circle, fewer than the other rows.
Banana. - Draw a picture display for pencil colours: Red 3, Blue 5, Green 2. Use one equal symbol per pencil.
Draw one labelled row for each colour.
Use equal symbols and aligned starts.
Check all three counts.
Red: 3 symbols; Blue: 5; Green: 2. Include a title, labels and key. - One block represents one response. A display has four blocks for Bus, but the table says Bus 2. What should change?
One block means one response.
Four blocks would show four buses.
Remove two blocks, leaving two. - Name two features that help someone understand a picture display.
Accept any two of title, clear row labels, a key, or equal symbols.
For example: a title and a key. - Draw a block display for the vehicle table. Use one block per vehicle and write a key.
Vehicles observed in five minutes. Vehicle Number Car 6 Bus 2 Bicycle 3 Use equal blocks and align the row starts.
Check that the total is 11 blocks.
Car: 6 blocks; Bus: 2; Bicycle: 3. One block means one vehicle.
Curriculum reference & lesson scope
Australian Curriculum v9; SA Curriculum Mathematics 2026
Surveys/observations; lists/tables; creating displays; comparing representations and conclusions.
Official curriculum source ↗