Singapore
Math - Mathematics Curriculum
When
it comes to teaching mathematics to children, there exist
a number of schools of thoughts on what the ideal curriculum
ought to be. There are the conventional models of teaching
math, there are harder theory based models and there are
the more interesting practical hands-on models.
Among the models that have
received wide applaud for developing a strong platform and
understanding of basic math that is suitable for propelling
the child a long way forward in the longer run, Singapore
math is an outstandingly good one.
What is Singapore math?
Singapore math is a method
to teach mathematics to children based upon the classical
model of teaching mathematics in Singapore. The national
curriculum of Singapore has been great in producing students
who understand the basics of mathematics well, and the model
has been taken to formalize and internationalize for wider
applicability. As a teacher or as a parent of a homeschooling
child, this is definitely one of the models of teaching
math that would appeal to your intellect.
Remember that the methods
might appear to be innovative at times, but the fundamental
basis is time-tested and the instructions have been around
for a number of years. And also, the instructions and materials
are written in English. A number of schools in the USA have
accepted this model as a standard one and follow this. The
state of California had allotted some state funds for the
teachers to order Singapore math texts.
What are the characteristics
of Singapore math?
Singapore math has some fundamental
differences in approach compared to the standard practice
of teaching math. The curriculum and study materials are
designed to answer fundamental questions of mathematics
based upon logical explanations. Unlike many of the mathematics
teaching models that are common in many countries including
the USA that stress upon rule memorization and expectation
upon students to reconstruct mathematical ideas from hands-on
experiments, this is a model that believes in digging deep
into roots of reason. The math understanding model is designed
at every stage such that the child attempts to ask questions
pertaining to fundamental understanding of mathematics.
They would start asking "why" rather than trying to remember
rules and the intelligent design structure of the curriculum
would provide the student with the right answer with the
right time. No wonder Singapore math teaching model is a
favorite among almost every homeschooling parent and teacher.
Singapore math can be characterized
by the following factors.
- Spiral approach:
Singapore math is spiral in its structure. It assumes that
something that has been taught earlier does not need to
be taught again. In fact, when a topic is revised in a subsequent
year, the level of discussion starts from the next level
of what was taught previously. This is contrary to the USA
model, where the topic restarts from scratch next year and
then moves forward eventually attaining the desired higher
level.
- Sequence of introduction
of concepts: Singapore math has a unique way of introducing
the students to novel concepts. It is neither based upon
remembering rules, nor is it based upon hoping that the
students would be able to almost intelligently deduce formulae
simply going by their hands-on experiences that they would
be exposed to. The teaching method that Singapore math model
follows goes from concrete via pictorial to abstract. The
students would learn decimal numbers in forms of addition
and subtraction in their second and third grades by concretely
adding and subtracting dollars and cents. Then in their
fourth grade they would be pictorially introduced to the
notion of decimals and their experiences of adding and subtracting
dollars would be used for them to learn. At the next level
they would start to understand the fundamental theories
of how decimals work. Thus, within a few years they will
understand all the necessary theory, practical applications
and physical interpretation of their concepts. They further
learn to actually analyze real situations mathematically
in terms of the real mathematical meaning of the situation
and do not rely upon intuitions or "clues" which is the
buzzword in the US-based mathematics teaching models.
- Intelligent sequence
of repetition of previous knowledge: The amount of repetition
is minimal in Singapore mathematics. The way that the entire
course is designed targets that the student does not need
to go for repetition of what is already learned. The progress
is ensured in such a way that much of whatever is learned
at one stage is implicitly used in the subsequent stages.
This would make sure that the student never loses touch
with the fundamental concepts, although the boring repetition
is totally eliminated. It keeps the students fresh and hungry
for learning further.
- Crisp focus on understanding
of core mathematical concepts free from redundancies:
Singapore math is well-known for focusing on the mathematical
concepts. Unlike many other models that teach math and end
up adding a lot of immaterial details and spices, this model
of math learning is strongly based upon the solid concepts
of core mathematics. The nature of the study is exploratory,
and the child asks and gets answer to the fundamental "why"
questions rather than semi-grasping vague ideas without
deep knowledge.
Should you go for it?
The verdict is that Singapore math is one of the best
models of learning math for a child, be it in a conventional
school or be it in a homeschooling environment. The instructions
are loud and clear. The study material is fantastic. As
long as your child does not lack average intelligence, this
is one of the models that you would strongly favor going
for.
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