Growing a Mathematical Mind through Model Drawing

First, we MODEL, MODEL, and MODEL some more. I tell students that this is a time to play with model drawing. We do many of these problems together before I give them their own problem to complete.

Side-Note: Model Drawing!

One thing that I have been doing in my class, the last three years, is model drawing. This year I have been determined to do model drawing at least 3-4 times a week, right before I start my regular math lesson. I have seen a growth in my students ability to problem solve, work together, and to show stamina. I have been so proud of my students. I am so confident that my students will do better on their end of year test than my students normally do. I'm actually excited for once to have my students take the end of year test. HA HA!!


First, we MODEL, MODEL, and MODEL some more. I tell students that this is a time to play with model drawing. We do many of these problems together before I give them their own problem to complete.

After this MODEL, MODEL, MODEL time then I give each student a problem to solve. (The problem is dependent on what students have learned and what we are learning at the time). Students will glue their model drawing problem into their math journals. They begin to work on their problem independently by themselves for a few minutes. After the minutes are up they share their problem with their group for an additional few minutes. After the group time is up I direct students to the front board where I  or I have chosen a student to direct students through the model drawing steps. We have been doing this all year at this point, so students know exactly what to do. After you get used to doing this with your students you will be able to let go of the reigns and let them be teacher. My students love this!

Where do I get my model drawing problems? Check this resource out! These are available for grades 1,2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. They also come with an answer key. This is extremely important to have as a resource. It shows you how to solve the different types of problems from addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions, and so forth. So if you are not familiar with model drawing you will want the answer key. http://www.amazon.com/Word-Problems-Model-Drawing-Practice/dp/1934026514

I also have this poster hanging in my room. My students also have a smaller version which is glued into their math journals.