Draw and read scaled picture graphs and bar graphs
Graphs will meet your child everywhere, from news stories to sports scores, and reading the key correctly is what turns a picture into accurate numbers. Knowing that one star stands for 5 books also gives your child real practice with multiplication and comparing. In 4th and 5th grade they will make line plots with fractions and work with bigger sets of data, and careful graph reading supports science classes for years.
In this video, your child will learn to draw graphs where one picture means many.
The lesson stops at each question for your child's answer.
Three problems, each a little harder
Each problem is worked step by step. Your child will solve the last one before Bobby shows how.
Example 1
How many fewer stickers did Ben earn than Ana?
Example 2
Put dogs and cats together. How many more is that than fish?
Your child's turn
Put tag and swim together. How many more children chose soccer than that?
The three key steps
- 1Check what each one is worth.
- 2Skip count to draw or read.
- 3Add or subtract to compare.
Mistakes to listen for
- Ignoring the key and counting each picture as one, so 4 stars worth 5 books each reads as 4 books instead of 20.
- Guessing at a bar that ends between lines, reading halfway between 10 and 20 as 11 or 19 instead of 15.
- Adding when the question asks how many more, so 30 books and 20 books gives 50 instead of 10.
The lesson shows every step, so your child sees why it works. Read our parent's guide to reading picture graphs and bar graphs →
Is your child ready to practice what they've learned?
Bobby's Math Club offers unlimited practice for free.
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More 3rd grade Measurement & Data, with questions your child answers along the way.
Questions parents ask
Does my child need an account to watch?
No. You can watch this on any device at any time. If your child would like to practice reading picture graphs and bar graphs, and you'd like parent-friendly reports on your child's progress and growth, you can join Bobby's Math Club for unlimited free practice.
What happens when my child answers a question?
A right answer gets a cheer, and the lesson carries on. If your child isn't sure, they can tap "I don't know yet", and Bobby gives the answer and shows another example. Nothing is scored or stored.
Is this the same lesson that's on YouTube?
Yes. Here, the lesson stops at each question and waits for your child to answer. On YouTube, each question stays on screen for a few seconds, and then the lesson plays on.
Where can I learn more?
There's a short, kid-friendly lesson like this one for every Pre-K to 5th grade math skill, all in our video library. Our parent's guide to reading picture graphs and bar graphs has more on where kids get stuck and how you can help at home. In the club, your child practices at just the right level, about five minutes a day, and you get parent-friendly reports as they grow. Learn more about how it works →
Practice reading picture graphs and bar graphs
Questions at your child's level, about five minutes a day, on reading picture graphs and bar graphs and whatever PK-5 skills they need to develop. Unlimited practice, free forever.
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