Barvember: Thinking Like Mathematicians!
This November, our school is taking part in Barvember, a month of mathematical challenges designed to develop children's problem-solving skills through the use of bar modelling.
Throughout the month, classes will be exploring how bar models can help them understand mathematical problems, visualise the information they are given and work out the steps needed to find a solution.
What is bar modelling?
Bar modelling is a visual approach to solving maths problems. Instead of jumping straight into calculations, children draw simple rectangular bars to represent the numbers and relationships within a question.
This helps them to see the maths behind the problem, making it easier to decide which calculations they need to use.
There are two main types of bar model that children will be exploring:
Part–part–whole models show how smaller amounts combine to make a larger total. For example, if a class has 12 boys and 15 girls, a bar model can show how these two parts combine to make a class of 27 children. It can also help children work backwards when one of the parts is missing.
Comparison models help children see the difference between two amounts. For example, if Sam has 18 stickers and Alex has 11, drawing bars of different lengths helps children visualise how many more stickers Sam has.
Why is bar modelling useful?
One of the biggest challenges in maths is not necessarily carrying out a calculation, but working out which calculation is needed in the first place.
Bar modelling encourages children to slow down, think carefully about what a question is telling them and represent the problem visually before attempting to solve it.
It is particularly useful for tackling multi-step word problems, understanding fractions, exploring multiplication and division, and recognising the relationships between numbers.
As children become more confident, they learn that the same approach can help them solve increasingly complex problems.
What will children be doing during Barvember?
Across the school, children will be taking part in a range of age-appropriate mathematical challenges. They will practise turning real-life situations and word problems into bar models, explaining their mathematical thinking and comparing different ways of reaching an answer.
Our aim is to help children become confident, independent problem-solvers who can make sense of a challenge rather than simply look for numbers to calculate.
Barvember is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate mathematical thinking, encourage perseverance and show children that sometimes drawing a picture is the first step towards solving a tricky problem!
We look forward to seeing our young mathematicians rise to the challenge throughout November.
