These free printable worksheets support the development of key handling data concepts in primary mathematics, aligned with KS1 and KS2 curricula. Resources focus on sorting, classification, and interpreting graphical representations, helping children build confidence in organising and analysing information. These PDFs are simple black-and-white designs for easy printing and classroom use—no sign-up required.
Note for Educators: While designed with primary school criteria in mind, these resources are also useful for Adult Basic Education (ABE), Functional Skills Numeracy, and ESOL learners developing practical life-skills data literacy.
Shape Sorting & Classification Activities
These two PDFs provide a total of 18 different black-outline polygons designed specifically for cut-and-sort activities. They can be used in KS1 and KS2 classrooms to develop understanding of shape properties and to support work on data handling, particularly Carroll diagrams.
Download our printable 2D shape sorting Carroll diagram set:
2D Shapes for Sorting into Groups – Set 1 (shapes 1–9)
2D Shapes for Sorting into Groups – Set 2 (shapes 10–18)
The set includes a balanced mix of shapes including triangles, quadrilaterals, pentagons and hexagons and more. This variety allows children to explore multiple classification criteria.
Suggested classification criteria (choose any two for a Carroll diagram):
- triangle / not a triangle
- quadrilateral / not a quadrilateral
- has at least one pair of parallel sides / no parallel sides
- has at least one right angle / no right angles
- has one or more lines of symmetry / no lines of symmetry
- regular / irregular
- even number of sides / odd number of sides
- will tessellate / will not tessellate
- all angles obtuse / not all angles obtuse
- Print on standard or lightweight card and laminate for repeated use.
- Create a large Carroll diagram on A3 paper or the whiteboard; children place the cut-out shapes in the correct section.
- Write chosen criteria on small pieces of scrap paper or sticky notes so the same diagram base can be reused with different questions.
Pictogram Worksheets
Introduce children to reading and interpreting pictograms with these engaging themed worksheets. Each features a simple pictogram (using symbols to represent data) accompanied by comprehension questions to encourage discussion and analysis. Ideal for whole-class or independent work on representing and interpreting data.
Download the worksheets with questions:
Pictogram 1 | Favourite Animals
– Children analyse preferences for animals such as cats, horses, giraffes and dogs.Pictogram 2 | Rainy Days
– Make the most of Tim's gloomy weather! Count rainy days across months, and practice comprehension skills.Pictogram 3 | Haircuts
– Deploy your young investigators to help the busy barber find out how his new shop is getting on.Pictogram 4 | Travelling to the Supermarket
– Discuss transport choices. Includes a pictogram, a tally chart activity as well as questions to test understanding of the data.
For discussion-led lessons without questions, download the pictograms only:
And for teacher reference:
- Use the pictograms to prompt questions like "Which category has the most?" or "How many more...?" to build reasoning skills.
- Encourage children to create their own pictograms based on class surveys, linking to real-life data collection.
These pictogram activities align well with early data handling objectives and can be extended by combining with block graphs or tally charts in further lessons.
Frequently Asked Questions
What level are these handling data worksheets?
These materials cover concepts found in the UK National Curriculum for KS1 and KS2. For adult learners, they align with Functional Skills Mathematics at Entry Levels 1, 2, and 3.
How do Carroll Diagrams help with data skills?
Carroll Diagrams are a fundamental tool for classification. They teach learners to sort information based on dual criteria, which is a foundational skill for categorizing geometric shapes and performing logical data analysis.
Are these resources suitable for Functional Skills?
Yes. The pictograms and sorting activities help learners meet requirements for "Extracting and interpreting information from simple diagrams," a core component of Functional Skills Numeracy and Level 1 Literacy frameworks.