Unit Plan 17 (Grade 2 Math): Picture & Bar Graphs—Single-Unit Scales
Draw and interpret picture and bar graphs with single-unit scales, then solve put-together, take-apart, and compare problems by reading data and finding differences.
Focus: Draw and interpret picture graphs and bar graphs with single-unit scales; solve put-together, take-apart, and compare problems using data.
Grade Level: 2
Subject Area: Mathematics (Measurement & Data • Operations & Algebraic Thinking • Math Practices)
Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 35–45 minutes per session
I. Introduction
Students collect data about familiar categories (pets, snacks, books read), organize it with tallies/tables, and represent it as both a picture graph (with a key/legend of 1 icon = 1) and a bar graph (with a single-unit scale). They then use the graphs to answer how many more/fewer and other add/subtract questions, connecting visual comparisons to differences.
Essential Questions
- How do we choose a graph type to show our data clearly?
- How do titles, labels, and a single-unit scale make a graph easy to read?
- How can a graph help us solve put-together, take-apart, and compare problems?
II. Objectives and Standards
Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:
- Collect and organize class data using tallies and a category table.
- Draw a picture graph with a key/legend and a bar graph with a single-unit scale, clear title, and labels.
- Interpret graphs to answer how many more/fewer, total, and difference questions.
- Model and solve one- and two-step add/subtract problems based on the graphs and explain their reasoning.
Standards Alignment — CCSS Grade 2 (spiral across the unit)
- 2.MD.10: Draw a picture graph and a bar graph (with single-unit scale) to represent a data set with up to four categories; solve simple put-together, take-apart, and compare problems.
- 2.OA.1: Use addition and subtraction within 100 to solve one- and two-step word problems (including compare).
- MP.4: Model with mathematics (choose representations, create graphs, and use them to solve problems).
Success Criteria — Student Language
- I can make a picture graph and a bar graph with a title, labels, and a single-unit scale.
- I can read my graph and tell how many more/fewer or the total.
- I can show and explain my work when solving a one- or two-step problem from a graph.