Practise Reading Scaled Bar Graphs, Pictographs, & Dot Plots!

Are your students learning how to read and interpret data? Understanding the difference between different types of data displays can be tricky for young learners. With repeated practise, your students will master how to read scaled graphs in no time!

For this activity, students will answer questions based on different bar graphs, pictographs, and dot plots. Students can record their answers on the provided recording sheet. 

Through this activity, students will solve one-step word problems involving addition or subtraction using data represented within dot plots, pictographs, and bar graphs with intervals of one.

Tips for Differentiation + Scaffolding 

A team of dedicated, experienced educators created this resource to support your maths lessons. 

In addition to individual student work time, use this set of data analysis task cards to enhance learning through guided maths groups, whole class lessons, or homework assignments. 

If you have a mixture of above and below-level learners, check out these suggestions for keeping students on track with the concepts: 

🆘 Support Struggling Students

Help students who need support with the concepts by completing the activity in a 1-on-1 setting or with a small group of students. Additionally, if students are struggling to work with scaled graphs, consider using the single-unit version of this resource.

➕ Challenge Fast Finishers

For students who need a bit of a challenge, encourage them to represent the data with all three graph types (dot plot, pictograph, and bar graph). Students can use the back of their paper or a separate whiteboard.

🛴 Scoot Activity 

Place the cards around the room in numerical order and give each student a recording sheet. Assign students or pairs to a starting point card. Give students time to review the card and record their answer in the corresponding space on their paper. Students will rotate to the next card when you say, “SCOOT!” Continue in this manner until students return to their starting point. 

👋 Exit Ticket 

Use these cards as a formative assessment after your lesson. Pick a random assortment of cards and project them on the board for the whole class to see. Students can record their answers on a sheet of paper, sticky note, or their notebook. 

Plan lessons for all ability levels with our 10 Best Scaffolding Strategies! 

Easily Prepare This Resource for Your Students

Use the dropdown icon on the Download button to choose between the colour PDF, black and white PDF, or editable Google Slides version of this resource. A recording sheet and answer key are also included with this download.

Print on card for added durability and longevity. Place all pieces in a folder or large envelope for easy access. 

To keep the task cards out of pockets or under desks, punch a hole in the corner of each to place them on a binder ring. 

Sustainability Tip: Print a few recording sheets on cardstock and slip them into dry-erase sleeves. Students can record their answers with a whiteboard marker, then erase and reuse them.  

This resource was created by Allie Kleijnjans, a teacher and Teach Starter Collaborator. 

Don’t stop there! We’ve got more activities and resources that cut down on lesson planning time:  

teaching resource

Graph It! Worksheet (Many-to-One Graphs)

Draw a scaled picture graph and bar graph to represent data with this worksheet.

teaching resource

Pictograph, Bar Graph, and Dot Plot Match-Up (Scaled Intervals)

Use data analysis skills to match tally charts and frequency tables with their corresponding bar graph, pictograph, or dot plot.

teaching resource

Types of Graphs Posters

This colourful and easy-to-digest visual display shows students the varying data displays they will encounter in their primary maths lessons.