Grade 3 Math Lesson Plan: Bar Graphs and Pictographs with Scales

Learning Objectives

• Read a pictograph where one symbol stands for 2, 5 or 10, including half symbols.
• Read a bar graph with a scale that counts in 2s, 5s or 10s, including bars between gridlines.
• Collect data in a tally chart and show it in a pictograph and a bar graph with a suitable scale.
• Answer "how many more?", "how many fewer?" and "how many in total?" questions from graphs

Lesson Procedure

• Lesson 1 — Pictographs with a key (45 min): follow the stage table (warm-up, teach, practice, exit ticket).
• Lesson 2 — Bar graphs with scales (45 min): follow the stage table (warm-up, teach, practice, exit ticket).
• Lesson 3 — Collect, draw and compare (45 min): follow the stage table (warm-up, teach, practice, exit ticket).
• Use the matching PowerPoint, worksheet and assessment from this pack — the plan refers to their slide and part numbers.

Differentiation

Support: Start with a key of 2 only; write the value next to each row. Challenge: Use a key of 10 with half symbols (= 5). English language learners: Teach question words: "How many…? How many more…? Which… the most?"

Teacher Tips

Make graphs about real class data — students care more about the answers. Teach "key first, then count" as a routine.

What's Included

• 4-page lesson plan (PDF + editable DOCX)
• Lesson 1 — Pictographs with a key (45 min)
• Lesson 2 — Bar graphs with scales (45 min)
• Lesson 3 — Collect, draw and compare (45 min)
• Key vocabulary table, materials list and success criteria
• Differentiation (support, challenge, English language learners)
• Common misconceptions with fixes, and teacher tips

Additional Files

• Topic: Bar Graphs and Pictographs with Scale (DOCX)

Teacher Reviews