Model Drawing: A visual problem-solving strategy that uses rectangular bars to represent quantities and relationships in mathematical problems.
- Read the problem carefully
- Identify what is being added together
- Draw bars to represent each quantity
- Combine the bars to find the total
- Solve the problem
Monday's bar: 34 units long, Tuesday's bar: 28 units long
This visually represents the addition of both quantities
34 + 28 = 62 notebooks
The store sold 62 notebooks in total.
• Visual Representation: Bars represent quantities
• Addition: Combining quantities to find total
• Proportional Length: Bar lengths reflect actual quantities
Subtraction Model: A bar model that shows how a total quantity is reduced by removing a part.
One bar representing 75 books total
Shade or segment 32 units from the bar
75 - 32 = 43 books left
The library has 43 books left.
• Part-Whole Relationship: Total = Part + Part
• Subtraction: To find remaining amount
• Verification: 43 + 32 = 75 ✓
Comparison Model: A bar model that compares two quantities and shows their relationship.
Emma's bar: 41 units, Jake's bar: 27 units
Place bars side by side to see the difference
41 - 27 = 14 stickers
Emma has 14 more stickers than Jake.
• Comparison: Difference between quantities
• Subtraction: To find how much more
• Visualization: Bars show the difference clearly
Multiplication Model: A bar model that shows equal groups and helps visualize repeated addition.
Each bar represents one box with 5 crayons
Each box contains 5 crayons
6 boxes × 5 crayons = 30 crayons
There are 30 crayons in total.
• Equal Groups: Same number in each group
• Multiplication: Number of groups × Items per group
• Verification: 5+5+5+5+5+5 = 30 ✓
Division Model: A bar model that shows how a total is divided into equal parts.
One bar representing 48 cookies
Divide into 8 equal sections (one for each child)
48 ÷ 8 = 6 cookies per child
Each child gets 6 cookies.
• Equal Sharing: Total divided into equal parts
• Division: Total ÷ Number of parts = Each part
• Verification: 6 × 8 = 48 ✓
Two-Step Model: A bar model that requires multiple operations to solve.
One bar representing 65 apples
65 - 28 = 37 apples remaining
37 - 19 = 18 apples remaining
The farmer has 18 apples left.
• Sequential Operations: Perform operations in order
• Tracking Changes: Keep track of running total
• Verification: 28 + 19 + 18 = 65 ✓
Fraction Model: A bar model that shows parts of a whole using fractional representation.
Represent the whole pizza as 8 equal slices
3 out of 8 slices are eaten
8 - 3 = 5 slices remain, which is 5/8 of the pizza
5/8 of the pizza is left.
• Fraction Concept: Part/Whole relationship
• Visual Representation: Shaded parts show fraction
• Subtraction: Remaining = Total - Taken
Multi-Group Comparison Model: A bar model that compares three or more quantities.
Three bars representing scores: A=72, B=58, C=65
Team A (72) > Team C (65) > Team B (58)
72 - 58 = 14 points
Team A scored the most (72 points), 14 more than Team B (58 points).
• Multi-Comparison: Compare multiple quantities simultaneously
• Ordinal Ranking: Order from highest to lowest
• Difference Calculation: Subtract lowest from highest
Mixed Operations Model: A bar model that combines multiple operations to solve complex problems.
72 ÷ 6 = 12 baskets
12 - 5 = 7 baskets remaining
7 × 6 = 42 eggs remaining
The farmer has 42 eggs left.
• Multiple Operations: Division, subtraction, multiplication
• Sequential Thinking: Solve step by step
• Verification: 5 × 6 + 42 = 72 ✓
Multi-Group Model: A bar model that shows multiple distinct groups that combine to form a total.
Three bars representing Groups A, B, and C
14 + 11 + 9 = 34 students
Count all students in all groups: 14 + 11 + 9 = 34
There are 34 students in total.
• Grouping: Separate distinct groups
• Addition: Combine all groups to find total
• Verification: Check that parts sum to whole
Types of Model Drawings
Model Drawing Strategies
Model Drawing: A visual problem-solving strategy that uses bars or rectangles to represent mathematical relationships.
Bar Model: A rectangular bar that represents a quantity in a mathematical problem.
Visual Representation: Using pictures, diagrams, or models to represent mathematical concepts.
- Read Carefully: Understand what the problem is asking
- Identify Information: Note what is given and what is needed
- Choose Model: Select the appropriate type of bar model
- Draw Accurately: Create bars that represent the quantities proportionally
- Solve Systematically: Use the model to find the solution
- Verify Solution: Check that the answer makes sense
• Proportionality: Bar lengths should reflect actual quantity relationships
• Clarity: Draw clearly and label all parts
• Accuracy: Represent quantities precisely
• Systematic Approach: Follow consistent steps for all problems
• Verification: Always check that the solution makes sense
Steps for Creating Model Drawings
Detailed Summary: Modeling Practice Drawings
Model Drawing: A visual problem-solving strategy that uses bars or rectangles to represent mathematical relationships and quantities.
Bar Model: A rectangular bar that represents a quantity in a mathematical problem, helping visualize relationships between numbers.
Part-Whole Model: A bar model that shows how parts combine to form a whole quantity.
Comparison Model: A bar model that compares two or more quantities and shows their relationships.
Visual Representation: Using pictures, diagrams, or models to represent mathematical concepts and problems.
1. Proportionality: Bar lengths should accurately reflect the quantities they represent.
2. Clarity: Draw clearly and label all parts of the model.
3. Accuracy: Represent quantities precisely and maintain consistent scale.
4. Systematic Approach: Follow consistent steps for creating all models.
5. Verification: Always check that the solution makes sense in the context of the problem.
Basic Bar Model Method:
• Read the problem carefully to understand what is being asked
• Identify the quantities involved and their relationships
• Draw rectangular bars to represent each quantity
• Make bar lengths proportional to the quantities
• Use the model to determine the solution
• Verify the answer makes sense
Part-Whole Model Method:
• Identify the total (whole) and the parts
• Draw one bar for the total
• Divide the bar into sections representing the parts
• Use addition or subtraction to find unknown values
• Check that parts add up to the whole
Simple Example: Sarah has 5 apples, Tom has 3 apples. Draw bars to show the difference.
Answer: Draw Sarah's bar as 5 units, Tom's as 3 units, difference is 2 units
Intermediate Example: A class has 24 students total. 14 are boys. How many are girls?
Answer: Draw whole bar as 24 units, part for boys as 14 units, remaining part is 10 units (girls)
Advanced Example: A farmer has 36 eggs. He puts 6 eggs in each carton. He sells 4 cartons. How many eggs does he have left?
Answer: First divide 36 by 6 to get 6 cartons, then subtract 4 sold cartons to get 2 cartons remaining, which is 12 eggs
Tips:
• Make bars proportional to actual quantities
• Use consistent units throughout the model
• Label all parts of the model clearly
• Practice with different types of problems
Common Mistakes:
• Drawing bars that don't reflect actual quantity relationships
• Forgetting to label parts of the model
• Choosing the wrong type of model for the problem
• Not verifying that the solution makes sense
Memory Aids:
• "READ" = Read, Examine, Analyze, Draw
• "DRAW" = Determine, Represent, Apply, Work
• Remember that bar length represents quantity
• Part-whole: Total = Part + Part
• Comparison: Difference = Larger - Smaller
Model drawing skills transfer to real-world applications like:
• Budgeting and money management
• Cooking and recipe scaling
• Shopping comparisons
• Time management
• Problem-solving in science and engineering
• Proportional thinking
• Problem analysis
• Mathematical reasoning
• Verification
• Part-whole models
• Comparison models
• Multiplication models
• Division models
• Identify quantities
• Draw the model
• Solve the problem
• Check the answer
Questions & Answers
Question: Why is model drawing important for 3rd graders? Isn't it too early to learn this?
Answer: Actually, 3rd grade is the perfect time to introduce model drawing! At this age, children are developing their ability to think abstractly and visualize relationships. Model drawing bridges the gap between concrete manipulative work and abstract symbolic thinking.
Model drawing helps students visualize mathematical relationships, making complex problems more accessible. It's especially beneficial for students who struggle with traditional symbolic approaches, as it provides a visual pathway to understanding.
For 3rd graders, model drawing starts with simple bar models for addition and subtraction, gradually building to more complex problems.
Question: How can I help my child practice model drawing at home?
Answer: There are many fun ways to practice model drawing at home:
- Use everyday objects like blocks or counters to create physical models first
- Draw simple bar models for grocery shopping scenarios
- Practice with story problems from daily life
- Use graph paper to help maintain proportionality
- Encourage your child to explain their drawings aloud
Start with simple comparison problems and gradually increase complexity. The key is to emphasize the visual representation and encourage your child to talk through their thinking process.
Remember, model drawing is about understanding relationships, not perfect artwork.
Question: What are some effective strategies to teach model drawing to diverse learners in my 3rd grade class?
Answer: Effective strategies for diverse learners include:
- Start with concrete manipulatives before moving to drawn models
- Provide templates for students who struggle with drawing
- Use color coding to distinguish different parts of the model
- Differentiate problems by complexity while maintaining the same modeling skill
- Pair visual learners with kinesthetic learners for peer support
For struggling learners, provide more scaffolding and break problems into smaller steps. For advanced learners, offer extension problems that require multiple operations. Always encourage students to verbalize their thinking as they draw.
Create a supportive environment where students feel comfortable sharing their models, even if they make mistakes. Emphasize that model drawing is a tool for understanding, not a performance activity.