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
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Looks pretty similar to Investigations…which is big on number sense, understanding, and contextual problem solving. I don’t really understand why people dislike Investigations. It’s not perfect…and no series is-that’s why NCTM doesn’t endorse any one series, but I think Investigations is the closest.
I don’t have any experience with or exposure to Singapore math though. It looks decent from what you have shown.
I can’t say enough about ten-frames…K-2 kids should be using them ALL the time. Especially K-1, and I use them a ton in 2nd because I don’t think they got enough exposure to them previously. It’s important to do a lot of activities around the number 10..so crucial! Primary kids need lots of experience with this and anything involving place value and understanding the number system.
I would be interested to see how it suggests you teach a larger subtraction or addition problem, and if it is following a procedure… looks like they use a place value method similar to the one from everyday math you posted.
Singapore Math is the name of a method of math instruction made popular by its use in Singapore. It focuses on helping students to understand basic math concepts more thoroughly in the early elementay years, using real objects, pictures, and then words to address math problems.
here are a few links, Sharon:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/singapore-math-bar-models/id461707896?mt=8
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/singapore-math-bar-models/id459428195?mt=8
Hi,
I am reading your entry with interest. I tried looking for the Bar Model app on Apple App store, but I can’t find it?
Melissa…thank you for including singaporemathblog.com in your review of Singapore math. Math in Focus is published by Marshall Cavendish Singapore Ltd. and distributed by HMH in the United States. It seems like there are many misunderstandings about Singapore math in the US and I spend most of my day helping schools, students and parents understand what it is supposed to look and feel like when it comes to using the program with fidelity.
As I see it, there is more to turning a classroom into a Singapore math learning environment than simply importing textbooks. It requires a mindshift for educators, training in elementary mathematics and a community of people that admit they want something better for their children. This is not as common as you would think.
I look forward to reading more about your adventures in reviewing what works. Send me an email if you’d like to interview over a latte!
such an important point about the mindshift, thank you! I hear from Audra that you’re an incredible trainer and expert — can’t wait to talk!