- Definition
A pictograph is a chart that uses pictures or symbols to show and compare different amounts of things.
A graph showing favorite pets with 3 cat pictures and 5 dog pictures is a pictograph.
How to teach this in 30 seconds
Try this analogy: A pictograph is like a sticker chart where each sticker stands for one thing, helping you see which group has the most.
Ask your child: Which row of pictures is the longest?
Common mix-up: Kids may think it's just a collection of drawings. A pictograph uses pictures to count and compare amounts, where each picture stands for a number.
Examples
- A chart using a sun picture for each sunny day and a cloud for each cloudy day.
- A graph showing how many kids chose apples or bananas for a snack, using a picture for each choice.
pictograph is a term used in Ontario’s Kindergarten to Grade 8 curriculum.
Where this shows up
- Grade 1 Mathematics
- Grade 2 Mathematics
- Grade 3 Mathematics
- Grade 1 Social Studies / History / Geography
- Grade 2 Social Studies / History / Geography
+2 more mentions across the curriculum
The descriptions on this page are SmartStudy’s own original, plain-language writing — not the Ministry’s wording. They are aligned to the Ontario Curriculum, © King’s Printer for Ontario. For the Ministry’s official wording, see the source link below. SmartStudy is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Government of Ontario or the Ministry of Education. Ontario Curriculum and Resources ↗
