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Grade 2 · lesson 1 of 4

Read a Picture Graph with a One-Item Key

Read the key before counting the supplied category’s symbols.

About 15 minutes, plus any extended practice

Download the grade pack

Supplied materials

  • Paper and a pencil; drawing and spoken explanations are welcome. An adult may read directions and options aloud.
  • Supplied worked-case record: The key says one star means one vote.
  • All quantities and shape descriptions are supplied in the worked example and questions; no purchase or personal information is needed.

Learn the idea

A picture graph uses repeated symbols to represent a count. Its key tells how many items each symbol stands for. In this lesson every symbol represents one item, so counting symbols gives the category value. Later keys can differ, so still read the key first.

Read the key before counting the supplied category’s symbols. Count only the symbols in the named category and state its item total. Check the count against a tally list using one tally per symbol.

Read what the symbols count as well as their value. Do not assume a symbol is a physical item rather than a recorded response. Draw a key and a row containing the stated number of symbols.

  1. Draw a key and a row containing the stated number of symbols.
  2. Follow the worked example. Point to each number or shape feature and say what it tells you.
  3. Read the key before counting the supplied category’s symbols.
  4. Try the question and then the three practice questions. Check your answers and explain any change you make.
Worked example

See the method in action

The key says one star means one vote. The bike row has five stars, so it records five votes. Five stars are not five bikes owned unless the graph’s question says that; its stated measured quantity is votes. Read what the symbols count as well as their value. Do not assume a symbol is a physical item rather than a recorded response. Draw a key and a row containing the stated number of symbols.

Your turn

Check your reasoning

Your answer is temporary and is not saved to an account. Download your current answer before leaving or reloading. Written work on paper or in another app stays in your own file.

Helpful tips
  • Read what the symbols count as well as their value.
  • Do not assume a symbol is a physical item rather than a recorded response.
Key: one square means one vote. A category has 4 squares. How many votes does it show?

Feedback appears here after you check. This is practice, not a graded school assessment.

See the answer and explanation

4

With a one-vote key, each symbol represents one vote. The result is 4.

Take it further

A one-vote key with seven circles shows 7 votes.

Nothing here is saved to an account or sent to a teacher. The answer download includes your current choice and any checked feedback. It does not include choices from the separate More practice section. Download that section separately.

More practice: try new cases

Choose an answer for each problem. Explain your method on paper, then use the feedback to decide what to revisit.

More practice: try new cases
1. Key: one square means one vote. A category has 5 squares. How many votes does it show?
Need a hint?
  • Read what the symbols count as well as their value.
  • Do not assume a symbol is a physical item rather than a recorded response.
2. Key: one square means one vote. A category has 6 squares. How many votes does it show?
Need a hint?
  • Read what the symbols count as well as their value.
  • Do not assume a symbol is a physical item rather than a recorded response.
3. Key: one square means one vote. A category has 7 squares. How many votes does it show?
Need a hint?
  • Read what the symbols count as well as their value.
  • Do not assume a symbol is a physical item rather than a recorded response.

Your choices are temporary. Feedback appears after you check all the answers.

Nothing here is saved to an account or sent to a teacher. Keep your own notes or download them before leaving. The score describes these questions; it does not certify subject mastery.

Check the subject sources

These LifeStarter passages, scenarios and exercises are authored for this Academy with AI assistance and review. External resources keep their publishers’ terms. A grade label suggests a starting level; it does not establish alignment with your school’s complete requirements.