Take three hands-up answers, not open call-outs. Some will guess the winning activity quickly; hold out for the second question — the exact number — and let them notice they cannot be sure of a number without a chart and a scale to read from. If you have the printed after-school chart, pin it to the wall now so pupils can glance at it; the reading happens on the board in the next step.

Work each reading live on the board — this is a plan, not a script, so keep your own moves in these notes rather than on screen.

• Tallest bar — trace the top of Football straight across to the scale; read the exact number 12, don't eyeball it.
• Shortest bar — same move on Choir, reading 4.
• How many more — compare Football at 12 with Choir at 4 to model 8 more; take the smaller from the larger.
• Total — read every bar, then add. Ask the class to predict whether the total is nearer 20 or nearer 30 before you add.

Point to the scale each time — the recurring slip is judging height by eye and being a line or two out. Use a ruler as a guide line from each bar top across to the scale so the class sees the trace.

Talk this one through together — pupils take turns at the board and the class agrees or corrects out loud.

For each reading, ask the pupil at the board to trace the bar to the scale and say the number before anyone confirms. When you reach the total, take a class prediction first (nearer 20 or nearer 30?), then add bar by bar. Keep the four readings brisk so you reach the total with time to spare.

This is the practice round — pupils take turns at the board, check each answer, and the class confirms before moving on. Keep the board work brisk rather than over-explaining.

The charts grow a little each time: the first has three bars, then four, then a full four-bar total to add. Ask the class to predict each answer before the pupil at the board checks it, and insist they trace to the scale before saying a number.