Singapore Math

About Singapore Math 

Singapore Math adopts an attitude that Math is important, approachable and an essential learning tool. It uses intentional progression of concepts that are easy for younger learners to grasp and instill a deep understanding of Math. 

Singapore Math is a really great way to teach math at home. It’s a comprehensive curriculum that covers all the core mathematical concepts in a really effective way. It’s based on a teaching method called concrete-pictorial-abstract approach. This means that your child will first learn math concepts by using manipulatives, then they will see it as a picture, and finally they will learn the abstract form of it. This helps kids make connections between the concrete and abstract, and to see how a concept can be represented in different ways.

What makes Singapore Math unique?

As a parent you might be wondering what sets Singapore Math apart from other math curriculums out there. One of the things that makes Singapore Math unique is its strong focus on mental math. Instead of relying on calculators and other technology, Singapore Math encourages your student to use visualization and estimation strategies to solve problems. This helps your student develop a deeper understanding of mathematical concepts and become more confident in their math abilities.

Singapore focuses on mastery skills through concept presentation , revision and mastery. Topics are revisited and built on a strong foundation of understanding.

What is Singapore Math known for?

• Highly effective teaching approach
• Ranks at the top of International Math Testing
• Focused on Mastery
• Through concepts, skills, attitudes, metacognition and process help students to become successful problem solvers
• Uses visual tools

Combination of workbook exercises, chapter tests, cumulative reviews and tests, diagnostic assessments and performance tasks to evaluate your child’s progress and understanding and to provide additional support when needed. This will give you, as a parent, a good idea of your child’s understanding of the material and help you to target specific areas where they might need more help.

What instructional approach does Singapore Math use?

Singapore math uses a mastery based approach. This means that your student is expected to fully understand a concept before moving on to the next one. This approach encourages your student to think critically and not just memorize formulas or procedures. It helps them to develop a deeper understanding of math that will stay with them for a long time.

Combination of workbook exercises, chapter tests, cumulative reviews and tests, diagnostic assessments and performance tasks to evaluate your child’s progress and understanding and to provide additional support when needed. This will give you, as a parent, a good idea of your child’s understanding of the material and help you to target specific areas where they might need more help.

Does Singapore Math allow my student to work on their own?

If you’re using Singapore Math’s Primary Mathematics series for your child’s homeschooling, you can expect that the curriculum is designed to be independent, meaning that your child can work through the material on his or her own with minimal supervision from you. The curriculum is based on a concrete-pictorial-abstract (CPA) approach, which emphasizes the use of visual aids, manipulatives, and real-life examples to make math concepts more concrete and understandable for your child. This approach allows your child to explore and discover mathematical concepts independently, with minimal guidance from you.

However, it’s important to note that independent work does not mean that you are not involved in the learning process. You still need to provide guidance and support as needed, answer your child’s questions, and monitor his progress. Additionally, Singapore Math’s Primary Mathematics series also includes a teacher’s guide with lesson plans, answer keys, and assessments, which can help you to provide the necessary support for your child’s education.

If I am using this curriculum, what will a day/lesson look like?

A simple lesson using Singapore Math would include presenting the concept, practicing the concept, then completing the additional activities to master the concept. Each lesson contains fun and colorful worktext. 

What types of assessments does Singapore Math use to check student progress and understanding?  

As a homeschool parent, you might be wondering how the Primary Mathematics series will assess your child’s understanding and progress. The series uses a variety of assessments to check student progress and understanding. These assessments are designed to help you understand your child’s strengths and weaknesses and to identify areas where additional support is needed.

One way Singapore Primary Math assesses your child’s understanding is through workbook exercises. These exercises are designed to reinforce the concepts taught in the textbook, and they provide additional practice and a way to check if your child understands the material.

Another way Singapore Primary Math assesses your child’s understanding is through chapter tests. These tests are designed to evaluate your child’s understanding of the concepts taught in a particular chapter. They include a variety of question types, such as computation, word problems, and problem-solving questions, and are a good way to check if your child has grasped the concepts.

What tools does Singapore Math provide for homeschooling parents?

One of the main tools Singapore Math provides is the textbook. Textbooks provide detailed explanations of mathematical concepts, as well as problem-solving strategies and examples. They are the main source of instruction for the curriculum and provide a clear understanding of what concepts need to be covered.

Another important tool Singapore Math provides is the workbook. The workbooks provide additional practice problems and exercises to reinforce the concepts taught in the textbooks. They are a great way for your child to practice what they have learned and solidify their understanding of the material.

Singapore Math also includes teacher’s guides, which provide detailed lesson plans, additional teaching tips and strategies, and answers to the problems in the textbook and workbook. The teacher’s guides are designed to help you plan your instruction and provide additional support when needed.

There are also excellent resources on the www.Elephango.com website to enrich the lessons throughout this curriculum.

When used correctly, Singapore Math does a great job of:

Teaching your children to think mathematically. The Singapore Math approach moves quickly from the how of math to the application of each skill and concept. This helps students shift their thinking from skill and drill (which they need for mastery) to seeing math in action in real world situations. This sets them up for better understanding as they progress to more complex math questions and formulas. 

What type of student is Singapore Math ideal for?

• Visual and kinesthetic learners: The curriculum’s concrete-pictorial-abstract (CPA) approach emphasizes the use of visual aids, manipulatives, and real-life examples to make math concepts more concrete and understandable. This approach may be especially helpful for children who learn best through hands-on activities and visual aids.
• Students who need a strong foundation in math: The curriculum is designed to build a strong foundation of math concepts, which may be particularly helpful for students who struggle with math or who need extra support to master the material.
• Independent learners: The curriculum is designed to be self-paced, which means that students can work through the material independently, with minimal guidance from the parent or teacher. This may be especially helpful for students who are self-motivated and enjoy working independently.
• Students who need real-life context: The curriculum provides students with real-life context, which makes the math concepts more relatable and understandable, which can be beneficial for students who need a real-life context to fully grasp the material.
• Students who are looking for an international perspective: Singapore Math’s Primary Mathematics series is based on the math curriculum used in Singapore, which is known for its high-quality and international perspective. This may be especially beneficial for students who want to learn more about math from an international perspective.

What other types of students could benefit from Singapore Math

• Students who enjoy a challenge: The curriculum is known for its rigor and emphasis on problem-solving, which may be especially appealing to students who enjoy a challenge and want to develop their critical thinking skills.
• Students who struggle with abstract concepts: The concrete-pictorial-abstract (CPA) approach used in Singapore Math’s Primary Mathematics series may be particularly beneficial for students who struggle with abstract concepts. This approach emphasizes the use of visual aids, manipulatives, and real-life examples to make math concepts more concrete and understandable.
• Students who need extra support: The curriculum includes a wide range of support materials, such as teacher’s guide, answer keys, assessments, and online resources which can be helpful for students who need extra support to master the material.
• Students who are looking for a comprehensive curriculum: Singapore Math’s Primary Mathematics series covers a wide range of math concepts, from basic arithmetic to more advanced topics such as algebra and geometry. This can be beneficial for students who are looking for a comprehensive curriculum that will provide them with a solid foundation in math.

Students who like to be self-directed: The curriculum is designed to be self-paced, meaning that students can work through the material independently, which can be beneficial for students who enjoy being self-directed and working at their own pace. 

What type of student is Singapore Math NOT ideal for

• Students who prefer a more traditional approach to math instruction: The curriculum’s concrete-pictorial-abstract (CPA) approach and emphasis on visual aids, manipulatives, and real-life examples may not appeal to students who prefer a more traditional, textbook-based approach to math instruction.
• Students who struggle with independent work: The curriculum is designed to be self-paced, which means that students are expected to work independently through the material. This may be challenging for students who struggle with self-motivation or who need more guidance and support from the parent or teacher.
• Students who need a lot of teacher interaction: The curriculum is designed to be self-teaching, which means that it does not require a lot of teacher interaction. This may not be the best fit for students who need a lot of one-on-one instruction or who prefer a more interactive learning environment.

What do parents and teachers love about Singapore Math

“Rather than a simple set of workbooks, you have a plethora of ideas to pick and choose from. You have the ability to customize this program to meet the needs of your child, adapt to their learning style, and incorporate it into the rhythm of your homeschool.”

Read a testimonial about Singapore Math

I have found that Singapore math provides my student with the practice he needs to be successful! I love the daily lesson plans which gives my student an excellent amount of practice to aid in making things simpler for them to understand. 

– Briana T