TM Math in Focus ™ and Singapore Math What it is and what it isn’t Singapore’s math performance in the TIMSS (Trends in International Math and Science Study) and other international comparison studies, reflects the use of the My Pals are Here! Maths program. This has been the premier program in Singapore for the past ten years and is currently used by 86% of the country’s students. What is Singapore Math? It is more than bar modeling and visual problem solving strategies! In order for any textbook program or curriculum to be approved for classroom use in Singapore, it must align to the nation’s Mathematics Curriculum Framework and Syllabus, set forth by the Ministry of Education. The current curriculum framework, governed by the Ministry of Education in Singapore, follows several guidelines for mathematics programs. This is what we in the United States have generally termed “Singapore math.” What is Math in Focus? Math in Focus is the United States edition of Singapore’s My Pals are Here! Maths. Both programs are published by Marshall Cavendish in Singapore. Math in Focus follows the authentic Singapore math framework. A complete and authentic Singapore math curriculum must: Math in Focus Singapore math Math in Focus IS Singapore math! • Emphasize computational skills along with more conceptual and strategic thinking. • Cover fewer topics, in-depth, that are carefully sequenced grade by grade. • Cover concepts in one grade, with increasing levels of advancement in later grades. • Ensure that students master prior content without repeating it. • Encourage mathematical representation of problems using reasoning, and communication of mathematical content. ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 12_6463_MIF_what it is.indd 1 5/10/10 9:59:16 AM
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Math in Focus™ and Singapore Math
What it is and what it isn’tSingapore’s math performance in the TIMSS (Trends in International Math and Science Study) and other international comparison studies, reflects the use of the My Pals are Here! Maths program. This has been the premier program in Singapore for the past ten years and is currently used by 86% of the country’s students.
What is Singapore Math?
It is more than bar modeling and visual problem solving strategies! In order for any textbook program or curriculum to be approved for classroom use in Singapore, it must align to the nation’s Mathematics Curriculum Framework and Syllabus, set forth by the Ministry of Education.
The current curriculum framework, governed by the Ministry of Education in Singapore, follows several guidelines for mathematics programs. This is what we in the United States have generally termed “Singapore math.”
What is Math in Focus?
Math in Focus is the United States edition of Singapore’s My Pals are Here! Maths. Both programs are published by Marshall Cavendish in Singapore. Math in Focus follows the authentic Singapore math framework.
A complete and authentic Singapore math curriculum must: Math in Focus
Singapore math
Math in Focus
IS Singapore
math!
• Emphasize computational skills along with more conceptual and strategic thinking.
• Cover fewer topics, in-depth, that are carefully sequenced grade by grade.
• Cover concepts in one grade, with increasing levels of advancement in later grades.
• Ensure that students master prior content without repeating it.
• Encourage mathematical representation of problems using reasoning, and communication of mathematical content.
✓ ✓✓ ✓
✓ ✓✓ ✓✓ ✓
12_6463_MIF_what it is.indd 1 5/10/10 9:59:16 AM
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800.289.4490www.greatsource.com/singaporemathView the complete virtual sample at www.hmheducation.com/mathinfocus
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Debunking the Myth: Singapore Math vs. Singapore Math Strategies
The Singapore math curriculum and Singapore math “strategies” seem to be used synonymously in the United States. As stated above, an authentic Singapore math curriculum (approved by the Singapore Ministry of Education and aligned with the framework) must encompass more than just the unique visual problem solving strategies like bar modeling and number bonds found in Singapore strategies workshops. It must also align with the Mathematics Curriculum Syllabus and Framework, and receive approval from the Ministry of Education to be implemented into Singapore classrooms.
Therefore, a program that only includes the Singapore methods of visual problem solving strategies, like bar modeling and number bonds, but not aligned with the articulated scope and sequence for content development, would not be a comprehensive Singapore math program.
The Singapore framework has a strong foundation in the Number and Operation strand, with place value being of paramount importance. The scope and sequence in which they learn and master numbers and place value—combined with the visual strategies, mental math and estimation emphasis—creates these focused concepts that are learned to mastery.
There is a specific sequence as to how the visual problem solving strategies are introduced at each grade level and advance and evolve as students move from one grade to the next. It is a carefully woven tapestry, not a set of isolated strategies that can be inserted into an American math program typically organized by chapters. This would not create a complete or authentic Singapore math program, as it only involves inserting a set of strategies into a program with its own scope, sequence, and pedagogy for content development.
Singapore Math Success for U.S. Classrooms As stated earlier, both My Pals are Here! Maths and Math in Focus are authored by Dr. Fong Ho Kheong and published by Marshall Cavendish in Singapore. These are authentic Singapore math programs that follow both the pedagogy and the articulated sequence needed for alignment to the framework.
In summary, when a school or district is looking to implement an authentic, complete Singapore math program aligned to the curriculum framework of Singapore, but with enhancements for the U.S. classroom, Math in Focus is THE program to choose. Math in Focus is Singapore math created specifically to support U.S. classrooms and their unique needs.
12_6463_MIF_what it is.indd 2 5/10/10 9:59:19 AM
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