Solving Addition Word Problems Using Bar Models

MatholiaChannel

This educational video demonstrates how to solve addition word problems involving numbers up to 10,000 using the bar model method. It presents two distinct types of problems: a "part-whole" problem where two costs are combined to find a total, and a "comparison" problem involving finding a quantity that is greater than a known value. The video visually guides viewers through extracting information from text, constructing a representative bar model, and performing column addition to find the solution. The content focuses on key mathematical themes including visualizing relationships between numbers, understanding vocabulary like "altogether" and "more than," and executing standard addition algorithms with four-digit numbers. The step-by-step animations highlight the connection between the word problem text and the abstract bar model, reinforcing the concept that complex text can be simplified into visual segments. For educators, this video is an excellent tool for introducing or reinforcing the bar model strategy, particularly for students transitioning from concrete manipulatives to pictorial representations. It supports learning by explicitly linking the reading comprehension aspect of word problems with calculation skills. Teachers can use this video to model problem-solving procedures, helping students identify when addition is required and how to organize their work systematically.