What is a Strip Diagram? Tape Diagram? Bar Model?

Are your students struggling with problem-solving? Help them get back on track with the help of a strip diagram. The strip diagram is a handy visual model that can help your students solve problems with known and unknown quantities. These diagrams go by a few names, such as bar models, tape diagrams, fraction strips, length models, or part-part-whole models. But no matter what you call them, they’re a great tool to put in your students’ problem-solving toolboxes.

Printable Problem-Solving Anchor Charts

Use this resource when teaching your students how to problem solve using strip diagrams (a.k.a. bar models). This method is especially useful for those students who respond better to visual stimuli such as pictures, drawings, or graphic organisers.

The pack illustrates the five basic variations and includes examples of how to apply them to different operations.

Print off a pack for each student to keep in their maths folder to reference throughout the year. Or, as an alternative, project each poster on the board as you teach each variation.

We have included a download with the title page of ‘Strip Diagrams’ and one with ‘Bar Models’. All other pages are the same in each download. Use the drop-down menu to choose which title you would like.