Answer:
Word problems often produce a great amount of anxiety for students.
Bar diagrams clearly align with the four-step problem-solving plan.
• Students create a visual representation to demonstrate a clear understanding of the problem.
• The bar diagram requires students to identify the problem’s setting and the values associated with the situation.
• The completed bar diagram leads to a definitive solution plan.
• The bar diagram can be used as a visual clue to determine the reasonableness of the solution.
Combined with the values provided in the problem, a solution plan is revealed. After solving the problem, the bar diagram can be used to check the solution by substituting the value into the drawing and using logical reasoning to assess reasonableness.