Why I LOVE Singapore Math
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As you know, I hate Everyday Math. I believe Singapore Math to be a far superior math curriculum.
Singapore Math allows children to master concepts with visual, concrete support. (As opposed to a brief overview in Everyday Math.)
I also love Singapore Math because my nine-year old, the one who hated math, now only sort-of-doesn’t-like-it and readily admits that her math teacher is the best teacher EVER. That’s a huge turn around from last year at this time!
Singapore Math
I’m not a Singapore Math expert but here’s what I can tell you . . .
Singapore Math Basics
Singapore Math “focuses on mathematical problem solving and emphasizes conceptual understanding, skills proficiency, learning of process skills, metacognition, and the development of a positive attitude toward mathematics,” writes Miss Seah Jiak Choo, Director-General of Education, Ministry of Education Singapore. (in The Singapore Model Method for Learning Mathematics) Read about the history of Singapore Math here.
Singapore Math Professional Learning Network says that the “authentic Singapore math pedagogy revolves the idea that fewer topics taught in greater depth at each grade level results in better understanding and retention.”
[printable] Singapore Maths Primary Syllabus
REASONING
My daughter’s teacher, Catherine Gozynski says, “Singapore Math develops reasoning. It’s not memorizing; it’s actual understanding. The big thing in fourth grade is, does this make sense?” She explains that in the primary grades, the emphasis is on place value.
TENS-FRAMES
In Singapore Math, tudents use ten-frames to support concrete and visual understanding of place value, numeracy, mental math, fact families, etc. This is what JJ does in first grade. Go to NCTM for an interactive ten-frame to get the idea. See how cool it is? Concrete to visual to abstract!
PICTORIAL or BAR MODELS
Students draw bar models to represent problems and concepts. Gorzynski explains, “The visual bar models help kids make sense of a problem. They are a problem solving tool taking the concrete to pictorial to abstract. It’s all about understanding the relationship and reasoning.”
I’ve copied a story problem below. Drawing the model helps a student solve this problem in a concrete-visual way.
Bar Model Apps for the iPad – here’s a screen shot:
Singapore Math in the United States
Where can you purchase Singapore Math in the U.S.?
1. Math in Focus (MIF) from Houghton Mifflin Hardcourt (This is what my first and fourth grader use.)
2. Primary Mathematics Standards Edition
3. Singapore Math options from Sonlight
4. We used these workbooks over the summer to get AJ used to Singapore Math.
another example:
More Articles
Comparison between Saxon and Singapore Math.
A dad explains why he prefers Singapore Math to Saxon.
Kelli Trainer’s blog, Singapore Math Professional Learning Network
Singapore Math Source from Cassy Turner, her best websites, & her Amazon Store
Kids Activities Learning Games
Schoodoodle
Number Bonds Game
Singapore Math on Let’s Play Math
Singapore Math on Teacher Blog Spot
A Parent’s Guide to Singapore Math
Singapore Math vs. Everyday Math – One School Who Switched
Homeschooling with Singapore Math on Five J’s
 Some rights reserved by Mark Morgan Trinidad A
We have the same sort of issues with math here in Canada, but the program I hate is called “Math Makes Sense.” Singapore Math is great, but in my opinion “JUMP math” is even better. It combines rote learning with guided discovery, so kids can acquire skills they need to conceptualize and “discover” what they are learning.
Here’s my post about math education and bit about JUMP: http://educationdiva.com/?p=799
JUMP is a non-profit organization, so the workbooks are very inexpensive.
this looks interesting, thanks so much, Ruth!
I’m a big fan of Singapore Math too and I use it at home as supplementation. It’s especially great for my oldest who needs to see math concepts in a visual way.
I have some posts on Singapore Math that I’d like to share:
How Effective is Singapore Math as a Teaching Curriculum? http://www.pragmaticmom.com/?p=7056
Best Math Workbooks for Home or Summer Supplementation http://www.pragmaticmom.com/?p=188
Hope this is helpful!
thank you, Mia!
My son’s school switched from Everyday Math to Singapore Math 2 years ago. I would definitely agree that my son’s grasp of math concepts has greatly improved. The bar modeling is really helpful for visual learning. His school did a lot of research into math curriculums and sent a letter home to all the parents explaining why they thought the Singapore Math program was simply the best out there.
Thanks for spreading the word about Singapore Math.
thanks, Gina – I am glad to hear it.
Melissa, you are too funny! My daughter actually wrote the word hate, which she is not allowed to use, on her subtraction paper. Yes, it is Everyday Math. Thanks for sharing the Singapore Math examples. You have me very intrigued.
haha – tell your daughter I can totally relate! 🙂
Hi,
This is a very good programme. There is also some programme called MC online (Marshall Cavendish). It is electronical and it has many interesting features that you and your child can enjoy. It consist of Maths, English and Science. Please let me know if you are interested on this amazing programme. And enjoy the Maths through Singapore Maths.
good to know, thank you!