How many of you recall learning model method when you were in Primary School?
For those who did not learn or do not recall what it is? I'm going to share what is model method aka model drawing, how is model drawing helpful ,why and when is model drawing important in solving math questions.
What is model drawing?
How and why is Model Drawing helpful in solving math questions?
Since young, our children learn through concrete play in mathematics to understand concepts using counting cubes, poms poms , toy cars etc. Moving onto primary 2 onwards, they have a good foundation what these numbers actually mean and when dealing with bigger numbers, we no longer can let them count hundreds of counting cubes to solve word problems. Instead, we use model drawing. This is an example of a basic model showing a part-whole relationship.
Next a comparison model:
Notice how model drawing gives a pictorial view of the question and actually simplifies the question for our children? While these questions may seem easy to solve without the need to draw a model. Let's try the next question when they move onto fractions and you will realise how Model drawing actually helps a child break down the question and be able to solve it without having to visual it in their mind.
When should you use Model drawing?
While many children dislike drawing model drawing because it is tedious, I will suggest to teach model drawing when a child is at 8 years old when they are ready to move on from the pictorial questions.
For upper level, use model drawing to digest a long question or a complex question. Of course, not every question can be solved using model. They have to be able to identify the right concepts and decide if model drawing will help them. Most of these questions involves ratio , whole numbers and fractions and percentage.
For our primary k2 - primary 1 children, I highly suggest using counting cubes to slowly introduce the concept of model drawing to them and using model drawing only when they are ready to move on from pictorial stages to abstract.
I hope you find this post helpful! Do follow bubzexplorer to find out more on how you can use model drawing to solve math questions.
- Adeline
