2nd grade · Math · Unit 16 of 18
Bar Graphs
Read and compare bar graphs
What your child practices
Reading bar graphs with four groups: how many more, how many fewer, how many in all, and which question a class survey can answer.
New York State Learning Standards learning standard: NY-2.MD.10 · drawing and reading picture graphs and bar graphs to solve put-together, take-apart and compare problems
How we explain it
Children can open this short lesson before they practice.
- Read each bar against the numbers on the side.
- Subtract to find how many more or fewer.
- Add the bars to find how many in all.
Example: Dogs: 12. Cats: 7. How many more chose dogs? 12 − 7 = 5. Answer: 5
Bar Graphs in New York
In the New York State Learning Standards, this is unit 16 of 18 in 2nd grade Math, after Add & Subtract to 1000 and before Add Up to Four Numbers.
Gradelings describes a child's practice on this unit as Beginning, Approaching, Meeting or Exceeding (Four practice steps). That reflects practice, not a report-card mark: the teacher decides the mark.
Sample questions
A taste of this unit. In the app, questions change every time and get easier or harder to match your child.
Question 1
Which has the most?
Our pets - 🐱cat
- 🐟fish
- 🐦bird
- 🐶dog
🐦 bird
Hint: Find the longest row. It has the most.
Question 2
How many answers are there in all?
Our pets - 43
- 42
- 44
- 45
42
Hint: Add every row: 13 + 12 + 2 + 15 = 42.
Question 3
Which question can we answer by asking our class?
- How many fish are in the ocean?
- What is the name of the tallest tree on Earth?
- How far away is the moon?
- How many of us lost a tooth this year?
How many of us lost a tooth this year?
Hint: We can ask our classmates about themselves: their pets, snacks or games.
Question 4
How many more chose walk than bike?
How we get to school - 1
- 3
- 2
- 4
2
Hint: walk: 14. bike: 12. 14 − 12 = 2.
Question 5
How many chose car?
How we get to school - 18
- 19
- 14
- 17
17
Hint: Count the 🚗 in the car row.
Question 6
How many chose bike or bus?
How we get to school - 30
- 29
- 27
- 32
30
Hint: Put the two rows together: 12 + 18 = 30.