Use tables, charts, and graphs
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Learning Objectives
- 1Read values from a labeled table by matching the row and the column
- 2Pull facts from a bar graph using the axes and the height of each bar
- 3Compare information across rows, bars, or slices to find the largest and smallest
- 4Spot a trend or pattern shown by a chart and put it in your own words
Mini Lesson
Many real-world texts hide their facts inside TABLES, CHARTS, and GRAPHS instead of full sentences. A strong reader knows how to walk into a table, follow a row across, and pull out the exact number — or look at a bar graph and instantly say which day was busiest. Tables organize the numbers; charts and graphs turn those numbers into a quick picture.
How to read a TABLE
- Read the title — it tells you what the whole table is about.
- Skim the column headers — they tell you what each column is measuring.
- Find the row you need (the animal, the day, the city, etc.).
- Slide your finger across that row to the column you want, and read the value.
How to read a BAR GRAPH or CHART
- Read the title and both axis labels first — never skip them.
- On a bar graph, find your bar, then look across to the value axis.
- On a pie chart, the biggest slice is the largest share — labels usually show the percentage.
- Always say the value with its UNIT — "5 hours" tells more than "5".
Watch the unit. A table titled "Speed (km/h)" means every number is kilometers per hour. Mixing up the unit is a common mistake — read the header before you read the value.
Tip: when a question says "compare," look at the SHAPES of the bars or rows, not just one number. The tallest bar is the biggest, the shortest bar is the smallest, and bars that climb show a rising trend.
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