3
Reading a block graph
Learner’s Book 1: Unit 14, pp. 213–216
GoalRead a block graph to find how many, the most and the fewest.
New words
block graph · a graph where each block is one thingtall / short · a tall block column means more, a short one means feweraxis · the line with numbers or names beside the graph
Explanation
A block graph uses one block for each thing counted. The blocks are stacked in columns, one column for each group. A tall column means there are more. A short column means there are fewer. The numbers up the side tell us how many. To read a column, look at the top of it and find the number on the side. The tallest column is the most and the shortest is the fewest.
Worked examples
Favourite things at the playground. The slide column is the tallest, up to 5. So the slide is the most popular: 5 children.
The seesaw column is the shortest: 2 children. The seesaw is the fewest. The swing has 3, so 1 more than the seesaw.
To count all children: 5 and 3 and 2 and 4. 5 and 3 make 8. 2 and 4 make 6. 8 and 6 make 14 children.
Class activity
Block graph with real blocks: ask your family what they like best for breakfast: eggs, porridge or bread. Stack one building brick for each answer, one stack for each food. Which stack is tallest? Which is shortest?
Practice
1
Which pet is the most popular? How many children chose it?
Dog, 5 children.
2
How many fewer children chose fish than cat?
2 fewer (4 take away 2)
3
How many children chose a pet altogether?
14 (4 and 5 and 2 and 3)
4
In a block graph, does a tall column mean more or fewer?
More