The bar model helps students visualize the relationships between the numbers given and the amount you are looking for in a word problem. What's great about this tool is that the model starts in elementary school with addition and subtraction problems and then can be expanded to work with multiplication and division problems, fractions, ratios, and percents. This model is incredibly
useful when you need to make sense of the given information and figure out how to attack a complex problem (MP1). Once students know how to create and apply these models, all they need is a surface to write on and a writing utensil.
useful when you need to make sense of the given information and figure out how to attack a complex problem (MP1). Once students know how to create and apply these models, all they need is a surface to write on and a writing utensil.
This model shows how the part and whole are related through multiplication and division. I could show that if I had 15 stickers and I divided them evenly among 3 kids, each kid would get 5 stickers. Later we can use this diagram to model fraction relationships. This picture shows that the part is 1/3 of the whole.
So what can you do with these basic models? Check out these two articles for some examples of problems that can be solved using the bar model. The first article quotes Scott Baldridge a professor at LSU and the mathematics expert who is overseeing the development of the NY Math Modules.
http://ramosgroup.squarespace.com/storage/Singapore%20Math_%20Simple%20or%20Complex.pdf
http://www.hmheducation.com/singaporemath/pdf/ModelDrawing.pdf
Technology and Bar Models-
I haven't decided what I think about using computer or iPads to create bar models (Erin). I love the simplicity of just being able to draw a quick sketch anytime anywhere. The best argument for using a program to create a bar model is a situation that requires you to split a bar into equal pieces. You'll see how easily that was done in the video.
The Youtube video below shows a solution modeled using the "Modeling Tool" on the Thinking Blocks website.
http://www.thinkingblocks.com/tb_fractions/fractions.html