Introduction to Bar Modeling with Singapore Math by

Introduction to Bar Modeling with Singapore Math by Beckey Townsend

3 Backbone Pieces of Singapore Math * Problem Solving * Mental Math * Intense Number Sense & Place Value Instruction Benefits of Model Drawing Number Sense A student’s overall understanding of a number. 1. Models give students a tangible graphic to hold on to as they compute a word problem. 2. Modeling emphasizes the relationships between values in the computation. 3. It teaches students to look for the way the parts relate to the whole. 4. It provides a step-by-step road map to solving most word problems.

Model Drawing Steps 1. Read the entire problem. 2. Rewrite the question in the problem as a statement, leaving underlined space for the answer. 3. Identify the WHO and WHAT is involved in the problem. List these variables, ALWAYS in order. 4. Draw unit bar(s) to model each variable and place question mark. 5. Read each sentence, one at a time and adjust/label your unit bars to match information. Label your question mark with words? 6. Work your computation and solve the problem STATEMENT (2 correctly. Check for reasonableness. See tips. pts) 7. Write the answer in your complete sentence. LABEL/LIST/DRAW (4 pts) WORK (2 pts) ANSWER (2 pts)

Great article available online to give parents at orientation: Teach Kids Math with Model Method www. teach-kids-math-by-model-method. com Tips to Try For Step 1 • Whole class read aloud together • Each student copy problem & silently read • Alternate calling on various students to read aloud • Teacher read problem to class • Students partner to read to each other Sample Problem: Mike has 21 crayons. Elisha has 7 crayons. How many more crayons does Mike have than Elisha? Step 2 - Statement: Mike has _______ more crayons than Elisha. Step 3 - Guiding Questions for Variables: • • • WHO is the word problem about? Is there anyone else? Who knows the “WHAT” of our problem? Does anyone have any other ideas for WHAT ? Re-read and decide for WHAT you are solving: total crayons? Difference in crayons?

Step-by-Step Bar Modeling for Easy Problem Solving Example 1: Step 2 14 Mike has _______ more crayons. Example 1: Step 3 Mike’s crayons Elisha’s crayons Example 1: Step 4 Mike’s crayons Elisha’s crayons Example 1: Step 5 21 Mike’s crayons Elisha’s crayons difference 7 Example 1: Steps 6 & 7 Comparing numbers to find the difference 21 – 7 same as 24 – 10 = 14 Computation Tips 1. What does this information give you? 2. Why is it important? 3. Where does the number go in the model? 4. Now what do you do?

Step-by-Step Bar Modeling for Example #2 Step 1: READ Step 2: WRITE 2. Sally has 47 jelly beans in her candy jar. She and her friend Anna ate 28 jelly beans. How many jelly beans does Sally have in left in her jar? 19 Sally has ______ jelly beans left in jar. Step 3: LIST Sally’s beans Step 4: DRAW Sally’s beans Step 5: ADJUST & LABEL 28 Sally’s beans Steps 6 & 7: Compute & Answer 47 Total in jar Left in jar Computation Tips 1. What does this information give you? 2. Why is it important? 3. Where does the number go in the model? 4. Now what do you do? Whole to Part = find the difference 47 – 28 OR Find compliment by adding 2 to both numbers: 49 -30 = 19

Step-by-Step Bar Modeling for Multiplication Word Problems Golden Rules of Multiplication Model Drawing 1. When a problem says, “There were ____ times as many…” hone in on what that means. - Add one unit at a time to your beginning unit bar (1 x) = “counting method” - Example: Start with 1 times when comparing variables Jane’s cookies □ (1 x) Jim’s cookies □ (1 x) 2. It is usually helpful to draw a smaller unit bar to begin. Then add units as you count up # of times. 3. Make sure the model mirrors the statement sentence. Step 1: READ Ryan had 4 times as many marbles as Jordan. If they had 60 marbles altogether, how many marbles did Ryan have? Step 2: Write Ryan had _______ marbles. 48 Step 3: List Steps 4 -5: Draw & Adjust Steps 6 & 7: Compute & Answer Practice this problem in journal. Ryan’s marbles Jordan’s marbles 1 x 2 x 3 x 4 x Ryan’s marbles 60 Jordan’s marbles ? Total Ryan had 48 marbles. Monica had 3 times as many pens as Griffin. If they had 220 pens altogether, how many pens did Monica have? Computation Tips 1. What does this information give you? 2. Why is it important? 3. Where does the number go in the model? 4. Now what do you do?

Bar modeling easily lends itself to leveling up or down in complexity. Singapore Math Strategies: Model Drawing for Grades 1 -6 * Addition & Subtraction/ Multiplication & Division * Rate & Travel * Part to Whole Models * Comparison Models * Mixed Operation * Fraction (Simple & Complex) Advanced Model Drawing Grades 6 -9 *Complex Part to Whole * Complex Comparison * Before & After (Fractions & Ratios) * Decimals * Percents * Integers * Remainders