Why Models Matter We have all seen this happen in our math classes at some time: students learn the basics in our lessons, but then struggle when those concepts are extended in just a small way. Students cheerfully recite their basic addition facts, but have no idea how to solve 7 = ? + 4. And story problems? Yikes. Quantities and operations get buried in language and contexts that bring anxiety and confusion to all involved. Wait... We know from evidence that visual math, an