Our class wants to choose a fruit for snack time. How can we find out which fruit most children like? We can ask everyone and make a chart!
Collecting information
We ask each child: “Which fruit do you like best?” Each child chooses one fruit. This information is called data.
Making a pictograph
In a pictograph, each picture stands for one child. A good pictograph has:
- a title
- labels for each group
- a baseline where the rows start
- pictures that are all the same size and evenly spaced
- a key that tells what one picture means
| Fruit | Votes (☺ = 1 child) |
|---|---|
| mango | ☺☺☺☺☺☺ |
| pineapple | ☺☺☺ |
| banana | ☺☺☺☺ |
| orange | ☺☺ |
| watermelon | ☺☺☺☺☺ |
Reading the chart
- The most children chose mango (6).
- The least children chose orange (2).
- Mango has 3 more votes than pineapple.
- 20 children voted altogether.
So the class decides: mango for snack time! 🥭
Picture chart or pictograph?
In a picture chart we draw the real thing, like a mango. In a pictograph we use one symbol, like ☺, for every child. Both can go across or up.
TRY ITMake a fruit chart
Look at the chart. Answer the question. Change the votes to make a new chart.
Each child chose one favourite fruit. Tap + or − to change the votes.
Let’s practise
Try each one. Then tap Show answer to check.
1. Look at the chart above. How many children chose banana?
Show answer
4.
2. How many children chose watermelon?
Show answer
5.
3. Did more children choose banana or pineapple?
Show answer
Banana (4 is more than 3).
4. How many more chose watermelon than orange?
Show answer
3 more.
5. How many children chose banana or orange altogether?
Show answer
6.
6. Why should all the pictures be the same size?
Show answer
So we can compare the rows fairly by looking at how long they are.
Quick check
1. In a pictograph, what does one picture stand for?
Show answer
It says in the key. Here, one picture = 1 child.
2. Which fruit should the class choose? Why?
Show answer
Mango, because the most children chose it.
3. What should every chart have at the top?
Show answer
A title.
Maths words
Say these words with a grown-up. Can you use each one in a sentence?
data · chart · pictograph · picture chart · title · label · key · most · least · more than · less than · the same as · altogether
Try it at home
- Ask your family: “What is your favourite colour?” Draw one picture for each person. Which colour won?
- Sort your toys into groups (cars, dolls, balls). Make a picture chart. Which group has the most?
- Use the chart to make a decision: what should we have for Sunday lunch?
For parents and teachers
After this lesson, your child should be able to:
- collect information by asking a simple question and sort it into groups
- make picture charts and pictographs that go across or up, with a title, labels, baseline and same-size pictures
- read a chart to find the most, the least, how many more and how many altogether
- use the results to make a decision, for example choosing a class snack
Let your child ask the question and record each answer themselves. Owning the data makes the chart meaningful.
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Attributions to media used in this post:
San Fernando, Trinidad & Tobago.jpg – Kalamazadkhan – CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
© 2026 Vedesh Kungebeharry. All rights reserved.
