The idea, step by step
Choose a display
A picture graph can use one same-sized picture for each child. A column graph can use a column whose height gives the count. Both can display the same table.
Add a title and category labels. State what each picture means. Different-sized pictures can make a comparison misleading.
| Fruit | Children |
|---|---|
| Apple | 6 |
| Banana | 4 |
| Orange | 2 |
Build a column graph
Start the number scale at 0. Equal gaps must show equal changes. For these small counts, label the scale in ones and draw each column from 0 to its count.
The fruit graph has heights 6, 4 and 2. Height shows the count, so keep the column widths equal.
A common trap
A taller column should also be wider.
Instead: Use equal widths. Its height gives the count.
See the thinking
Read a column
Use the fruit graph. How many children chose banana?
- Find the Banana label.
- Read the top of its column against the number scale.
- It reaches 4.
Plan a picture graph
Dog has 3 votes and Cat has 2 votes. One picture means one child. Describe the display.
- Draw 3 equal pictures in the Dog row.
- Draw 2 in the Cat row.
- Add a title, row labels and a key.
Check your understanding
A column reaches 5 on a scale marked in ones. What count does it show?
Show answer
5.
The column top lines up with 5.
Your turn
6 questions · Work at your own pace.
Read the questions online
- Draw a picture graph for Red 4, Blue 2, Green 3. Let one circle mean one vote.
- A column ends at 6 on a number scale in ones. What count does it show?
- Complete the equally spaced scale: 0, 1, __, 3, __, 5.
- One star means one book. A row has 7 stars. How many books does it show?
- A graph is titled “Favourite sports” but its columns have no names. What labels are needed?
- Draw a column graph for the supplied table. Start at 0 and count in ones.
Sample data: After-lunch choices Activity Children Drawing 5 Reading 3 Puzzles 4
Read the worked solutions
- Draw a picture graph for Red 4, Blue 2, Green 3. Let one circle mean one vote.
Copy each frequency exactly.
There should be 9 circles altogether.
Labelled rows with 4, 2 and 3 equal circles; a title and a key. - A column ends at 6 on a number scale in ones. What count does it show?
Read the top of the column.
6. - Complete the equally spaced scale: 0, 1, __, 3, __, 5.
Each step adds 1.
2 and 4. - One star means one book. A row has 7 stars. How many books does it show?
Each of the 7 stars represents one book.
7 books. - A graph is titled “Favourite sports” but its columns have no names. What labels are needed?
Readers need to match each column to its category.
The sport names. - Draw a column graph for the supplied table. Start at 0 and count in ones.
Sample data: After-lunch choices Activity Children Drawing 5 Reading 3 Puzzles 4 Use each table frequency as the column height.
Check 5 + 3 + 4 = 12 children.
Heights: Drawing 5, Reading 3, Puzzles 4. Use equal widths, labels, a number scale and a title.
Curriculum reference & lesson scope
Australian Curriculum v9 / South Australian Curriculum
Categorical/count data; recording; displays; comparisons; guided question-to-conclusion investigation.
Official curriculum source ↗