Tape Diagrams

Okay, y’all. Are you familiar with the math teaching tool called a tape diagram? Common core defines a tape diagram as a drawing that looks like a segment of tape, used to illustrate number relationships. I’m a newbie to tape diagrams, but I’m hooked on them (or should I say stuck on them? 🙂 ). They seem especially helpful when thinking through word problems. Here’s a quick example.

Word problem:
Sam is in the pet store. He spends $3 on dog food and $1 on dog bones.

He has $7 left. How much money did Sam take to the pet store?

So whatcha think? A cool teaching tool?

Happily,
Diane

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5 thoughts on “Tape Diagrams

  1. In Ontario this is not part of our curriculum expectations, but it is a great tool to help children who need a visual for solving problems.. Thanks!

  2. I like using this type of diagram-my students actually use rolls of register tape for this type of model.
    We are using the enVision math program in our second grade classrooms and this type of thing is often referred to as a part-part-whole mat/model.

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