Models for maths in primary school

[ET-PH]

My dd school do not give marks for the model but without modelling (visualisation), they may not be able to solve some of the math questions. For example (P3 question), A has $65 dollars more than B, if A give $20 dollars to B, how much does A has more than B. Some question even comes with A, B and C. With modelling, it is easier for the student to visualise and calculate the answer. Do the student in P5 and P6 still required to use models to solve problem sums ?

[cafelatte]

P5 and P6 will still get the comparision, before&after kind of problem sums which are easier to solve using models. There’ll get ratios and fractions in the problem sums.


Hence, it is a good idea to encourage them to use model from lower primary, starting with the simpler problems.

[Lynn1967]

My dd is using models drawings for most of the questions and I notice that after she had drawn models, she doesnt had a lot of workings which saves a lot of time. Last time when she was in P3, she had a tutor who wasnt familiar with model drawing and teach her conventional ways. Still can get the answer lah, but she found it hard to understand. She told me now after she had drawn the model she can find a soln quite easily liao.

[Lynn1967]

So if yr school doesnt teaches model, make sure yr tutor can do that.

[Lynn1967]

My son now P2 alrdy train him to draw models even though the question is easy. My tutor said let him get into the hang of it early so that he won feel the pressure when u introduce more complicated ones to him in upper pri.

[ctrlaltdel]

Hi, m son is in K2 now and i would like to prepare him for simple concepts of model drawing for P1. There are a few books recommended in this thread, but i was wondering which book should i get, since he’s only K2 ?


I’m considering between Maths Model Diagrams from Maths456 and The singapore model method for learning mathesmatics. Which one is more suitable ?

[James Ang]

Lynn1967:

So if yr school doesnt teaches model, make sure yr tutor can do that.

yes, and make sure that algebra is not used as an easy substitute to solve primary level problems as students are not taught high-order algebra until they reach secondary level. Most parents know algebra but primary students are confused when their parents use algebra to solve their children's questions. Algebra is an accepted method as long as it is correctly used, but more often, it is wrongly applied by primary level students as they are taught basic algebra and only in P6.