1. Singapore Math
Aspen View Academy

2. singaporemathsource.com
CassyT@gmail.com
bit.ly/singaporemathlinks
Twitter Bio: Passionate about Singapore Math, Teacher
Trainer/Coach, Treasure Hunter, Learner, Answer to the
ultimate question? 42.

3. Trends In Math &
Science Study 2011
Fourth Grade Country Scale Scores

4. 99%
94%
78%
43%
96%
81%
47%
13%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
Low Intermediate High Advanced
Singapore
United States
Percentage of
grade 4
students
meeting TIMSS
benchmarks

5. 5 Factors to Singapore’s Success

6. 5. Qualified & dedicated
teachers
4. Well-managed schools
3. Subject banding (gr. 4 & up)
2. High expectations

7. #1
Curriculum

8. Why is Singapore Math so successful?
1. Fewer topics in each grade
Singapore U.S.
depth mile wide &
inch deep

9. Why is Singapore Math so successful?
2. The program is aligned
vertically: it doesn’t repeat.
Singapore U.S.

10. Why is Singapore Math so successful?
3. The program is
balanced so
students
understand
math, do the
math, and
apply the math

11. Why is Singapore Math so successful?
4. Uses a concrete to pictorial to
abstract approach to develop
understanding and mastery
?
Abstract
7 + 3 =
Concrete
Pictorial

12. Common Core State Standards
“Conceptual understanding
is not an option, it’s an
expectation.”
-Skip Fennel, February 2011
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
National Math Panel Advisor
Content Advisor, Common Core

13. Why is Singapore Math so successful?
5. Focuses on place value and
number sense
312
300
2
10

14. Why is Singapore Math so successful?
6. Puts problem solving at theheart
of the curriculum

15. Monitoring one’s own thinking
Self-regulation of learning
Beliefs
Interest
Appreciation
Perseverance
Confidence
Numerical calculation
Algebraic manipulation
Spatial visualisation
Data analysis
Measurement
Use of mathematical
tools
Estimation
Numerical
Algebraic
Geometrical
Statistical
Probabilistic
Analytical
Reasoning,
communication and
connections
Thinking skills and
heuristics
Application and
modeling
Mathematical
Problem
Solving
Concepts

16. Problem solving methods
“WE ARE NOT TEACHING
MATH, WE ARE TEACHING
THINKING THROUGH THE
MEDIUM OF MATH.”
-Dr. Yeap Ban Har, Singapore Ministry of Education

17. Big Ideas in Singapore Math:
1. Number Sense
2. Making Connections
3. Visualization
4. Communication
5. Variation

18. Focus on mental math strategies
10
8
2

19. part part
whole

22. 1
49 + 32 = ?
31
50 + 31 = ?

23. 11
49 min. + 32 min. = ?
21
1 hr. 21 min.

24. 4
12 oz. + 9 oz. = ?
5
1 lb 5 oz

25. 12.20 ÷ 4 = ?
12 20 hundredths
3.05
4 12.20
12
0.20
0.20
0
Number
Bond
Method
Long
Division
Method

26. Concept building activities

28. 4A Four Operations of Whole Numbers

29. 4B Decimals

30. Monitoring one’s own thinking
Self-regulation of learning
Beliefs
Interest
Appreciation
Perseverance
Confidence
Numerical calculation
Algebraic manipulation
Spatial visualisation
Data analysis
Measurement
Use of mathematical
tools
Estimation
Numerical
Algebraic
Geometrical
Statistical
Probabilistic
Analytical
Reasoning,
communication and
connections
Thinking skills and
heuristics
Application and
modeling
Mathematical
Problem
Solving
Concepts

31. There are 3 red marbles and 12 blue
marbles. How many more blue marbles
than red marbles are there?
3
Red
Blue
12
?
Underlining key words - “more” - and
circling numbers don’t always work!

32. Donna has 6 books.
Mary has 8 books.
How many books do they have altogether?
Donna Mary
6 8
?
They have 14 books altogether.
?
86

33. Mary has 28 books. The girls have 96 books
altogether.
What’s the question?
Donna has 68 books.
Donna Mary
? 28
96
96
28?

34. A wading pool is half filled with water. When 12
more gallons of water are added, the pool is
7
8
full.
How many gallons of water can the wading pool
hold?
?
12 gallons
The wading pool can hold 32 gallons.
3 ⃞ 12
1 ⃞  12 ÷ 3 = 4
8 ⃞  4 x 8 = 32

35. Primary Mathematics Books
1. Absence of clutter & distraction
2. Short, precise definitions

36. Focus on key concept
-Mathematical terms
are explained

37. The textbook
provides for
immediate
assessment.
Students will typically
work with the
textbook in class.

38. Opportunities for
students to focus on
the main concept
… and provide
challenge

39. Workbook provides
independent practice.
The workbook is often
used for home
enjoyment.

43. Multiple
methods are
modeled

45. Visual models lay a foundation for future
Algebra work! (7th grade text)

46. Singapore Math teaches
WHY the math works…
not just the how.

47. Questions?
Visit:
www.SingaporeMathSource.com
Or email CassyT@gmail.com
to find math links and web sites for
students.