What is Singapore Math and Why is My Kid Using It?

It is the highly successful national math program that has been taught in the country of Singapore since In the year 2000 the Singapore Math Primary Mathematics series was adapted for use in the United States. What is Singapore Math?

Singapore students ranked highest in the world on the math portion of the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study, TIMSS. (1995, 1999, 2003, 2007) Why is Singapore Math being implemented in our school?

What is the TIMSS Trends International Mathematics & Science Study Every 4 years 50 countries 4 th & 8 th Grade Each country is required to draw a random, nationally representative sample of students and schools. In the U.S. fourth grade, 500 schools and 9,829 students participated. © SMARTTraining, LLC 2010

Grade fourGrade eight CountryAverage scoreCountry Average score TIMSS scale average500TIMSS scale average500 Hong Kong SAR607Chinese Taipei598 Singapore599Korea, Rep. of597 Chinese Taipei576Singapore593 Japan568Hong Kong SAR572 Kazakhstan549Japan570 Russian Federation544Hungary517 England541England513 Latvia537Russian Federation512 Netherlands535United States508 Lithuania530Lithuania506 United States529Czech Republic504 Germany525Slovenia501 Denmark523Armenia499 Australia516Australia 2007 TIMSS RESULTS Average math scores fourth and eighth grade students © SMARTTraining, LLC 2010

How does Singapore Math accomplish student success?  Manipulatives and hands-on activities that build concrete understanding  Unique strategies that build from year to year  User friendly student texts and workbooks  Detailed teachers’ editions and teacher training

Singapore Math teaches WHY THE MATH WORKS … not just the how. © SMARTTraining, LLC 2010

2 ¾ ÷ ½ = How do you solve this problem? Why did you invert and multiply? © SMARTTraining, LLC 2010

How many halves are in 2? 2 ¾ ÷ ½ = © SMARTTraining, LLC 2010

How many halves in ¾ ? There are 1 ½ halves in ¾. © SMARTTraining, LLC 2010

There are 5 ½ halves in 2 ¾. 2 ¾ ÷ ½ = 5 ½ © SMARTTraining, LLC 2010

Manipulatives and Hands-on Activities are used to develop concrete understanding Singapore Math uses number disks, place value charts, shape cutouts, dice, number cards, games, and more!

Strategies not Tricks! Number bonds help students learn math facts Specific lessons develop mental math strategies = = Bar modeling is used to solve word problems ? 4 units = 12 1 unit = 12/4 = 3 3 units = 3 x 3 = 9

Language is Important!!! How many hundreds are in the following number? 5034 This number can be “defined” many ways!

User Friendly Student Textbooks and Workbooks  Smaller, less repetition, work progressively increases in difficulty  Provides the pictorial and abstract practice students need in order to fully develop their knowledge and use of mathematics

Detailed Teachers Editions and Training Teachers’ editions provide very guided instruction for teachers Teachers have participated in professional development since last year Ongoing support & training throughout the year

Are you smarter than a 5 th grader? Maria won a cash prize. She spent 3/8 of the prize on a washing machine, 2/5 of it on a refrigerator, $180 on a fan. If she had $270 left, how much was the prize? COPY RIGHTED SMARTTraining, LLC

Divide into Eighths Maria won a cash prize. She spent 3/8 of the prize on a washing machine. COPY RIGHTED SMARTTraining, LLC

Mark Off 3/8’s Washer COPY RIGHTED SMARTTraining, LLC

Divide into fifths Washer 2/5 of it on a refrigerator… COPY RIGHTED SMARTTraining, LLC

Mark Off 2/5’s = 16 units Washer R RR R R R R R R R RR R R R R 2/5 of it on a refrigerator… COPY RIGHTED SMARTTraining, LLC

There are 9 units in the remainder. Each unit is $50.00.There are 40 units total. $50.00 x 40 = $2000. The Total Cash Prize Was $ Fan + Balance of Money = $ $ $ = $ is the remainder. Washer R R R R R RR RR RR R RR R R COPY RIGHTED SMARTTraining, LLC Maria won a cash prize. She spent 3/8 of the prize on a washing machine, 2/5 of it on a refrigerator, $180 on a fan. If she had $270 left, how much was the prize?

Singapore Math Parents: May see homework with fewer but more challenging problems Will need to allow your child to work math using Singapore Math methods Will need to practice math facts daily

Why is Singapore Math right for our students?

The Singapore Math program is rigorous! It has over 20 years of proven success!! It is time to move forward!!! The Singapore Math program is rigorous! It has over 20 years of proven success!! It is time to move forward!!!