Bar models are a powerful model to have at your disposal in the mathematics classroom. They offer a conceptual approach to communicating some key 'big ideas' in mathematics.
In this course we will venture through arithmetic, percentages, fractions and equations and culminate in using bar modelling to make better sense of what would typically be, tricky worded problems.
In this section, we look at how bar models can be used to communicate some key ideas when working with arithmetic.
Addition
4 mins
5.99 MB
Subtraction
2 mins
1.84 MB
Addition and Subtraction Worksheet
314 KB
Addition and Subtraction Worksheet Solutions (Q1)
2 mins
3 MB
Addition and Subtraction Worksheet Solutions (Q2)
2 mins
3.09 MB
Addition and Subtraction Worksheet Solutions (Q3)
3 mins
4.98 MB
Fractions
Fractions are a challenging idea to communicate, but with bar models, we can do this in a far more impactful way. We will take an in-depth look at how fractions of an amount can be modelled for better understanding.
Fraction of an Amount
1 min
1.65 MB
Fraction of an Amount - Questions
4 mins
5.14 MB
Fraction of an Amount Worksheet
254 KB
Fraction of an Amount Worksheet Solution (Q1)
5 mins
7.17 MB
Fraction of an Amount Worksheet Solution (Q2)
3 mins
4.3 MB
Fraction of an Amount Worksheet Solution (Q3)
3 mins
4.61 MB
Percentages
Bar models are a clear and intuitive way in which to communicate to pupils what percentages are and relating them to decimals and fractions. We will look at how we can work with percentages building upon our work with fractions in the previous section.
Percentage of an Amount
2 mins
2.18 MB
Increase by a Percentage
2 mins
2.17 MB
Ratio
In this section, we will look at powerful imagery and the opportunity to conceptualise what can be a tricky concept for pupils to grasp.
Sharing in a given ratio
2 mins
1.9 MB
More sharing
2 mins
2.14 MB
Sharing in a given ratio worksheet
253 KB
Sharing in a given ratio worksheet solutions (Q1)
3 mins
5.03 MB
Sharing in a given ratio worksheet solutions (Q2)
3 mins
5.57 MB
Sharing in a given ratio worksheet solutions (Q3)
3 mins
3.71 MB
Linear Equations
In this section, the focus will be on modelling linear equations. Once again, we focus on a clear, coherent way of communicating this idea that is forward-facing and doesn't rely on tricks!
Linear Equations Worksheet
251 KB
Linear Equations Worksheet Solutions (Q1)
3 mins
4.76 MB
Linear Equations Worksheet Solutions (Q2)
5 mins
7.29 MB
Linear Equations Worksheet Solutions (Q3)
4 mins
5.99 MB
Problem Solving
In this section, we focus on using bar models in contextual examples and in this case, money problems. Often pupils struggle to break problems down, but using bar models and drawing upon everything learnt thus far, it becomes a trivial pursuit!
Money Problems Worksheet
251 KB
Money Problems Worksheet Solutions (Q1)
2 mins
1.99 MB
Money Problems Worksheet Solutions (Q2)
1 min
1.58 MB
Money Problems Worksheet Solutions (Q3)
2 mins
2.03 MB
Money Problems Worksheet Solutions (Q4)
3 mins
3.76 MB
Course Content
In this section of the course, we will explore what bar models are and look at some simple examples of how they can be used in your classroom.
In this section, we look at how bar models can be used to communicate some key ideas within the topic of place value.
Fractions are a challenging idea to communicate, but with bar models, we can do this in a far more impactful way. We will look at identifying fractions, comparing fractions, equivalence, and operations with fractions.
Bar models are a clear and intuitive way in which to communicate to pupils what percentages are and relating them to decimals and fractions. We will look at identifying percentages, percentages of amounts, increasing/decreasing percentages, compound interest, and reversing percentages.
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