Support your students in learning how to organise, display and interpret data with our Shape Picture & Bar Graphs – a flexible, hands-on resource that helps build early graphing skills in a clear and engaging way. Designed for Foundation and early Years 1–2, this activity encourages students to move from sorting to visual representation as they count and graph the number of different shapes they’ve collected. Whether you’re introducing bar graphs for the first time or reinforcing how to create and interpret picture graphs, this resource makes the process accessible, visual and fun.

Students begin by collecting a handful of shapes – either physical 2D manipulatives, classroom materials or cards from our Sorting Shapes resource. Once sorted and counted, students transfer their data into one of the provided templates. With both picture and bar graph options included, in colour and black-and-white versions, you can easily differentiate for student needs, visual preferences and printing limitations. This hands-on activity deepens understanding of data displays while helping students build confidence in using mathematical language such as “more,” “less,” “most” and “equal.”

Shape Picture & Bar Graphs is ideal for maths rotations, small group instruction or independent work. The open-ended nature of the task allows students to work at their own pace, while still building key graphing concepts. The resource also pairs well with data-focused lessons or cross-curricular activities involving classification, counting and early statistics. Simply print the templates at A4 size for individuals or pairs, or enlarge to A3 for group or whole-class modelling. Add a clipboard or write and wipe sleeve for mess-free, reusable practise across the term.

Key Learning Outcomes:

• ✅ Represent data visually using bar graphs and picture graphs
• ✅ Count and compare quantities of various shapes
• ✅ Use mathematical language to describe and analyse data
• ✅ Transition from concrete sorting tasks to abstract data representation
• ✅ Develop graphing conventions including titles, labels and axes

What’s Included:

• 4 graphing templates:
  • • Picture graph – colour version
  • • Picture graph – black-and-white version
  • • Bar graph – colour version
  • • Bar graph – black-and-white version
• Designed for use after a sorting or shape collection activity
• Perfect for individual, partner or small group tasks

Materials Needed:

• Printed graphing templates (A4 or A3 depending on group size)
• Assorted 2D shape manipulatives, cut-outs or sorting cards
• Pencils, crayons or markers for drawing and colouring graph sections
• Optional: write and wipe sleeves or clipboards for outdoor or reusable use

How to Use:

1. Provide each student or group with a selection of shapes to sort and count.
2. Choose the most appropriate template for your learners – bar or picture graph.
3. Students fill in the graph by recording how many of each shape they have.
4. Encourage discussion using comparison terms (e.g. “There are more triangles than squares”).
5. Follow up with questions or reflection prompts such as “Which shape did you have the most of?”

Ideas for Classroom Use:

• 💡 Use as a follow-up activity to any shape sorting or classification lesson
• 💡 Integrate into maths rotations as part of a data or graphing centre
• 💡 Introduce bar graphs using the A3 version for whole-class modelling
• 💡 Display completed graphs as visual examples on a class maths wall
• 💡 Extend learning by having students write their own analysis sentences

Teacher Tips:

• 💛 Start with the picture graph for beginners before transitioning to bar graphs
• 💛 Support language development by modelling how to describe findings
• 💛 Print black-and-white versions for students to colour in their results
• 💛 Pair this task with oral reflection prompts to build verbal reasoning skills
• 💛 Encourage creativity – let students collect shapes from nature or the classroom to graph

Shape Picture & Bar Graphs transforms sorting into purposeful data displays – helping students bring order, colour and meaning to their mathematical thinking!