Before students can read a bar graph in a nonfiction text, they need the names of its parts. This two-page 4th grade sheet shows a bar graph of six foods, from an apple to a cookie, on a scale of 0 to 12, with six parts marked A to F. A word bank gives Title, Vertical Axis, Horizontal Axis, Data Bar, Legend, and Caption, and students write each name on the line that points to it. The answer key lists the six parts in order.
A short definition of a bar graph, a word bank of six terms, and a diagram with six colored bars over pictures of foods. Lines point to a blank title box, the vertical axis, the horizontal axis, the tallest bar, the legend, and a blank caption box below the graph. Students write the correct term on each blank.
A is the Title, B the Vertical Axis, C the Horizontal Axis, D a Data Bar, E the Legend, and F the Caption.
Before a text feature hunt
Label the graph together, then send students into science or social studies books to find a real bar graph and point out each part.
Axis mix-up
Vertical and horizontal get swapped often. Tell students to trace each axis with a finger before writing, up and down for vertical.
Math crossover
Bar graphs come up in 4th grade math data lessons too. Use the same sheet in both subjects so the vocabulary matches.
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