1. Singapore Model Drawing: A Problem solving graphic organizer
By: Erica Martinez

2. Research
“A graphic organizer is an instructional too student can use to organize and structure information and concepts and to promote thinking about relationship between concepts.” (Zollman, A. 2009)
On a study done with middle school students using a graphic organizer to solve word problems, teachers reported a dramatic improvement in students’ mathematical scores after implementing a graphic organizer to solve problems. (Zollman, A. 2009)
“Graphic organizers rely on visual/spatial reasoning skills more so than conventional teaching approaches and may be applied to the teaching of higher-level mathematics.” (Ives, B.B. 2003)
“Graphic organizers fill a need for teaching students with strong spatial and nonverbal reasoning skills but relatively poor language skills.” (Ives, B.B. 2003)

3. Research continued
Graphic organizers “can be used to facilitate instruction of complex procedures and can be used to enhance understanding of mathematics concepts.” (Ives, B.B. 2003)
“Reading mathematics is complex because of the mixture of words, numerals, letters, symbols and graphics that require the reader to shift from one type of vocabulary to another” (Braselton, S. & Decker, B.C 1994)
“One strategy that is effective in improving content area reading comprehension is the use of graphic organizers” (Braselton, S. & Decker, B.C 1994)

4. Description of Participants and Setting
Classroom: 3rd grade bilingual
Topic: Math Problem Solving
Time: During Math block 9:35-11:05
Gender: 10 girls and 6 boys

5. Steps of Implementation
Introduce Singapore Model drawing (7 steps to approach a word problem)
Model to the students how to follow the 7 steps.
1. Read the problem.
2. Write an answer statement.
3. Identify the “who” and the “what”.
4. Draw a unit bar to model each variable.
5. Re-read the problem sentence by sentence using the information needed to fill in bars.
6. Write and work out an equation.
7. Write the answer in your statement.

6. Steps of Implementation Continued
Work out various word problems: Modeled, Guided and Independent.
After going over the modeled and guided problems students go to rotations where they will practice model drawing in three rotations: 1) Seat work 2) Computer: and 3) Small group with the teacher
Practice the strategy with the students everyday and allow them opportunities to practice the strategy on their own.

7. Examples

8. Examples

9. Examples

10. Examples

11. Assessment Tool
Since Model Drawing has been a school wide expectation from the beginning of the year, I gave my students 2 tests. On the first test they were instructed to solve all the problems, on the second test they were instructed to use the model drawing strategy.

12. Results

13. Student comments: How does model drawing help you?
“It helps me separate the problem and makes it easier.” – Ida
“It helps me remember the numbers and the important information” – Elias
“Helps me solve the problem faster” – Luis
“We get the answer easier” – Laidy
“It’s a strategy to help us more” - Ashley

14. In the future…

15. References
Zollman, A. (2009). Students Use Graphic Organizers to Improve Mathematical Problem-Solving Communications. Middle School Journal, 41(2), 4-12.
Coleman, J. (2010). Elementary Teachers' Instructional Practices Involving Graphical Representations. Journal Of Visual Literacy, 29(2),
What Works Clearinghouse, (. (2009). Singapore Math. What Works Clearinghouse
Ives, B. B., & Hoy, C. C. (2003). Graphic Organizers Applied to Higher– Level Secondary Mathematics. Learning Disabilities Research & Practice (Blackwell Publishing Limited), 18(1),
Braselton, S., & Decker, B. C. (1994). Using Graphic Organizers to Improve the Reading of Mathematics. Reading Teacher, 48(3),