#46 Model drawing

Singapore prides itself on being the popularisers, if not the inventors, of model drawing. The bane of many a Singapore student, yet this method has proved its longevity, predicated on the principle of reverting to the Pictorial stage instead of the Abstract when understanding a word problem; George Polya would agree that it would be an important tool for an important step.

However, it is one of the hardest skills to teach, as any Maths teacher can testify. It also requires ridiculously complicated concepts that lack relevance, such as unchanged total with internal transfer, changed total with external transfer - you get my drift.

Hence, it is refreshing to see pupils break free from such mind-numbing stupor, and rely on their natural ability to make sense of the world, and entertain me along the way.