September 8th, 2010

The math curriculum in Singapore has been recognized worldwide for its

excellence in producing students highly skilled in mathematics.

Educators in the United States took notice when students in Singapore ranked top in the world in mathematics on the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) in 1993, 1995, 2003, and 2007. (Study done in Massachusetts)

Bruner – CPA Approach What students say about...

◦ Concrete “I like to learn with something I can touch, not just

watching my teacher touch it. My teacher lets me touch and move lots of different things, too.”

◦ Pictorial “…pictures in my math and reading books, magazines,

pictures I can color, and pictures I can draw…”◦ Abstract

“Numbers that my teacher writes, that I write, tally marks that I draw, number bond cards and numbers in books…”

Singapore Math curriculum…

◦Helps students develop the necessary math concepts and process skills for everyday life and

◦provides students with the ability to

formulate, apply, and solve problems.

Fewer topics are covered in greater depth enabling students sufficient time to gain mastery.

We can use this to our advantage during this time of transition…

Level 3A Level 4A Level 5A

Numbers to 10,000

Numbers to 1,000,000

Numbers to 1,000,000,000

Addition and Subtraction Mental Math

Addition and Subtraction Mental Math

Addition and Subtraction Mental Math

Two-Step Word Problems

Multi-step Word Problems

Multi-step Word Problems

Learning the Division Algorithm concretely with place value charts and disks

Re-teach division Algorithm concretely with place value charts and disks

Re-teach division Algorithm concretely with place value charts and disks

Fractions Fractions Fractions

Curriculum Sequence (Sample)

Kindergarten Earlybird A, Earlybird B

First Grade 1A and 1B Second Grade 1B and 2A, extension to 2B Third Grade 2B and 3A, extension to 3B

Fourth Grade 3A (with extension to 4A)3B (with extension to 4B)

Fifth Grade 4A (with extension to 5A)4B (with extension to 5B)

Program Architecture

◦ The Core Curriculum for each semester comprises one Textbook and one Workbook.

◦ Teacher Resources support the teacher to carry out effective lessons.

◦ Supporting Materials complement the Core Curriculum and provide opportunities for extra practice, review, assessment, and enrichment

Student Textbook (T.B.) Math Journal

Non-consumable – students (textbook do not write in this book. exercises,

Word

problems,

and misc.)

Student Workbook (W.B.)Consumable – students must write in this book .

Extra Practice**

**may be used for test preparation

Teacher Guide (T.G.)

Model drawing guide with

solutions

Extra Practice **

**may be used for test preparation

Home-Teacher On-going Training

conducted by Laurie Ruwe and Carol Lowry

(Monthly, Thursday afternoons, 2-3 p.m. in fellowship hall)

Mental Math 5-10 min. Teacher Directed Lesson 20 min. Activity 15 min. Problem Solving (Models) 15 min. Independent Practice 15 min.

What is Mental Math?

Simply put…it’s calculating in your head. It’s “playing with” or manipulating numbers in your head in order to solve a problem. Sounds simple, right?

Using your head to calculate is practical Solidifies understanding of place value Can make written computation easier Teaches manipulation of numbers and creative

thinking skills Can lead to improved estimation skills Demonstrates how answers can be achieved in

different ways Develops understanding of mathematical

operations Helps students move from arithmetic to algebra Develops mathematical thinkers

Use as a daily warm up Include mental math in problem solving

*Mental math should only include concepts that have already been mastered

All of the Mental Math Strategies for Addition and Subtraction and learned by the end of 2B.

Students in 3rd – 5th grade will learn these strategies and will also learn strategies for Multiplication and Division.

Compensation – make a hundred

456 – 98 becomes 458 – 100 = 358

(Uncle / Nephew) I can add the same number to the minuend

and the subtrahend and the difference stays the same.

400-198

726-397

1001-475

236-98

187-99

Concrete◦ Story, manipulatives, discovery!

Pictorial◦ Students show understanding by relating by

constructing a picture or diagram Abstract

◦ Students find meaning to their pictures and conceptualize or visualize the math behind the concrete and pictorial

Place Value Teacher Directed Lesson

With Char Forsten

Ones Tens (red) Hundreds (orange) Thousands (yellow) Ten Thousands (green) Hundred Thousands (blue) Millions (purple)

Ones (red) Tens (blue) Hundreds (green) Thousands (yellow)

Each Teacher Guide Lists Suggested Materials for your level.

Many of these materials can also be accessed electronically.

Virtual manipulatives

More

Handmade manipulative instructions

Overview for each unit lists the suggested materials for each lesson.

Making Math Manipulatives on a budget

How to use electronic “Manipulatives” or virtual manipulatives

Good websites for “hands on” practice

Support Classroom Activities by preparing an activity (rules, materials, teacher aid during activity if necessary)

Using the internet to find math content appropriate activities

Extra-Curricular Activities - Math Olympiad, Math clubs, Field trips...

Foundations for Model Drawing in K-2nd grade

Formally introduced in 3rd grade

Singapore Maths Teacher (really helpful website for model drawing help and practice!)

Model Drawing is one of the most powerful tools of Singapore Math.

Expect several opportunities to learn more at workshops and through personal discovery!

Singapore Math Success! Mental Math site Branching Tutorial PDF Char Forsten Place Value Lesson Virtual manipulatives More manipulative Handmade manipulative instructions Place Value Charts (Printable) Hundreds Chart (Printable) Singapore Maths (Model Drawing)