A focused Grade 3 learning session for Scaled Picture and Bar Graphs using visual models, worked examples, strategy guidance, and a short mastery check.
Student goal: I can read and create scaled picture graphs and bar graphs.
Scaled Picture and Bar Graphs means reading, creating, and explaining displays so data can answer real questions.
Question: A picture graph shows stickers collected. Each star represents \(2\) stickers. If Sam has \(3\) stars, how many stickers does Sam have?
Why it works: Count the stars and multiply by the scale: \(3\times2=6\) stickers.
Answer: \(6\)
Question: Look at the bar graph. What is the height of each bar in units?
Answer: Dogs is 2 units, Cats is 3 units.
Question: A picture graph shows apples in bags. Look at the key and count the symbols.
Answer: Bag 1: 3 circles × 5 = 15 apples. Bag 2: 4 circles × 5 = 20 apples.
Question: A bar graph shows the number of books read by students. If each unit on the scale represents \(5\) books, and a bar's height is \(4\) units, how many books does that bar represent?
Why it works: Multiply the number of units by the scale: \(4\times5=20\) books.
Answer: \(20\)
Scaled Picture and Bar Graphs becomes easier when students connect the question to a model, use clear steps, and explain why the answer fits.
Read the scale before reading the answer.
Use scratch paper. The explanation matters more than simply seeing whether the choice is correct.
A bar graph shows the number of books read by students. If each unit on the scale represents \(5\) books, and a bar's height is \(4\) units, how many books does that bar represent?
Answer C: \(20\)
Multiply the number of units by the scale: \(4\times5=20\) books.
A picture graph shows stickers collected. Each star represents \(2\) stickers. If Sam has \(3\) stars, how many stickers does Sam have?
Answer C: \(6\)
Count the stars and multiply by the scale: \(3\times2=6\) stickers.
Look at the bar graph. Each mark represents \(10\) apples. How many apples does Ben have?
Answer A: \(20\)
Ben's bar is 2 units tall. \(2\times10=20\) apples.
A picture graph shows pencils. Each pencil symbol means \(5\) pencils. Maya has \(4\) symbols. How many pencils does Maya have?
Answer C: \(20\)
Multiply: \(4\times5=20\) pencils.
A picture graph shows marbles. Each circle represents \(2\) marbles. Ava has \(5\) circles and Noah has \(3\) circles. How many more marbles does Ava have?
Answer A: \(4\)
Ava: \(5\times2=10\). Noah: \(3\times2=6\). Difference: \(10-6=4\).
A bar graph shows cookies sold. The scale is \(5\) cookies per unit. Lily's bar reaches \(3\) units. How many cookies did Lily sell?
Answer C: \(15\)
Multiply: \(3\times5=15\) cookies.
A bar graph shows books checked out from the library. One bar is \(4\) units tall, the other is \(2\) units tall. Each unit represents \(5\) books. How many more books does the first bar show?
Answer B: \(10\)
First bar: \(4\times5=20\). Second bar: \(2\times5=10\). Difference: \(20-10=10\).
A picture graph shows stickers. Each heart represents \(2\) stickers. Mia had \(8\) hearts, then gave away \(3\) hearts. How many stickers does Mia have now?
Answer B: \(10\) stickers
Remaining hearts: \(8-3=5\). Convert to stickers: \(5\times2=10\) stickers.
A bar graph shows toy cars. The scale shows \(10\) cars per unit. Eli's bar is \(2\) units tall. How many cars does Eli have?
Answer B: \(20\)
\(2\times10=20\) cars.
A picture graph shows flowers. Each flower symbol means \(3\) flowers. If there are \(2\) symbols for red flowers and \(4\) symbols for yellow flowers, how many flowers are there in total?
Answer C: \(18\)
Red: \(2\times3=6\). Yellow: \(4\times3=12\). Total: \(6+12=18\).
A bar graph shows minutes played at recess. Each unit is \(2\) minutes. Sofia's bar is \(5\) units. How many minutes did Sofia play?
Answer B: \(10\)
\(5\times2=10\) minutes.
