For an Introduction to Bar Modelling have a look at the NCETM Secondary Professional Development Materials Choose the section on Using mathematical representations at KS3 for 10 different guidance documents including Bar Models. This 17-page document for professional development provides a very comprehensive introduction to Bar Modelling and includes example problems.
Barvember, from White Rose Maths, was created to encourage the use of the bar model. Bar models can really help children visualise and then solve maths problems. You could solve the problems using this great digital tool from White Rose Maths, Bar Model.
On the subject of White Rose Maths have a look at this brilliant resource from Ben Gordon: Representations through the Curriculum.
The section on Further Resources in the NCETM guidance document includes Thinking Blocks, an outstanding resource that I included in a recent post on Ratio and Proportion. The relevant information on using the resource is included for completeness in this post. Further resources for Bar Modelling are also given.
Thinking Blocks from Colleen King’s site Math PlayGround – is a wonderful way to visualize Ratio and Proportion problems. This works on all devices.
Models like this really help students to visualise problems. Note the numerous videos showing how to model problems (scroll down the page). You can use the Thinking Blocks Tool to model your own problems; watching the videos will help you learn to use the tool. There is a very clear help section also.
I have used the tool here to model a problem from Andy Lutwyche’s Clumsy Clive on Ratio resource.
Also featured in NCETM’s resource section is The Mathenæum from Ken Wessen which includes Modelling Word Problems and Fractions, Decimals and Percentages.
See also:
Sybilla Beckmann’s paper, Solving Algebra and Other Story Problems with Simple Diagrams: a Method Demonstrated in Grade 4–6 Texts Used in Singapore is an interesting read on the subject of the use of diagrams.
Note Pearson Edexcel GCSE Maths Networks on YouTube; for an excellent introduction to Bar Modelling watch Naomi Bartholomew-Millar’s session.
- Note this post on PixiMaths. Many PixiMaths lessons demonstrate examples using the bar model
- An introductory worksheet from the excellent Mathspad site here
- From Future Learn, Presenting the Bar Model Method. Dr Bokhove presents a short introduction to the bar model and shows two concrete examples: one for the part-part-whole model and the other for the comparison model.
- For younger children, from Third Space Learning, How to Teach the Bar Model in Maths KS1 & KS2 To Ace Arithmetic and Multi Step Word Problems
- Mathsbot Manipulatives – Bar Modelling, the manual is here.
