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Pictograms and tally charts

Interpret and construct simple pictograms, tally charts, block diagrams, and simple tables

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What a learner can do afterwards

  • Read a pictogram where each symbol represents one item
  • Construct a tally chart from collected data
  • Draw a block diagram to represent data from a survey

1 · Read

You already know how to read a pictogram, where each little picture stands for one item. Now let's learn two more ways to show data: tally charts and block diagrams.

Each line is one item. After four lines, the fifth one crosses them to make a group of five. Here there are 8: three single lines, then one crossed group of five.
Try it together

Mia asked her class which fruit they liked best. She drew a tally mark for every answer, then counted the tallies and drew a block for each fruit. The tallest block shows apple was the favourite.

Apple4Banana2Grape3
Good to know

When you make a tally chart, count in fives. Draw four lines standing up, then draw the fifth line across them. A crossed group of five is easy to spot and count fast.

A tally chart counts with grouped marks, and a block diagram turns those counts into blocks you can compare at a glance.

2 · Watch

Take it off screen

Print a worksheetA4 with an answer key page for grown-ups. No screen, no internet.

Where it sits

Where this leads

Jobs that lean on this skill. Follow one to see everything it is built on.

Then practise

18 questions wait behind this lesson, each with its answer explained. Every answer feeds the sky: stars light as they are learned, and dim when it is time to come back.

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Pictograms and tally charts · Mathematics, ages 6 to 8 · LightMySky