Step by Step Model Drawing: Solving Word Problems the Singapore Way

by Char Forsten

Step-by-Step Model Drawing explains how this powerful problem-solving strategy from Singapore bridges the gap between the concrete and the abstract (the algorithm) by representing number relationships pictorially. This resource demonstrates exactly how teachers can guide their students through model-drawing solutions to a wide variety of word problems. Educators will discover crystal-clear ways to teach everything from simple addition to fractions, decimals, ratio, rate, and percent; they'll even explore sample problems that provide a pictorial bridge to algebra. Plus you will find practice problems-with full solutions-to help students perfect their new skills. (1-6) 144 pp. This resource demonstrates exactly how teachers can guide their students through model-drawing solutions to a wide variety of word problems. Step-by-Step Model Drawing explains how this powerful problem-solving strategy from Singapore bridges the gap between the concrete and the abstract (the algorithm) by representing number relationships pictorially.

Genres: Mathematics

133 pages, Paperback

First published January 28, 2010

Reviews

[J. Boo · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book with a small audience, but one which ably fills its niche. "Step-By-Step Model Drawing" contains word problems of escalating difficulty level, covering the core ideas of arithmetic. But it is written for teachers: the first part of the book shows how to draw a Singapore Math-style graphical model for each style of problem and provides a sample script for the teacher to use. The second part gives similar problems for the teacher to work out, and then one can page to the end to check solutions (and pedagogy).

I've signed up to be a math tutor for kids using the Singapore descendant, Math in Focus. While I've used the ur-curriculum Primary Math (US Edition) before successfully with my own children, I've elided much of the model side, mostly from ignorance of how it truly works. Ignorance that hopefully is no longer there. It feels good to have another arrow in my explanatory quiver.