Why to choose Singapore math?
Quite simply because the students of this country are the best in the world at math. The Singapore math definition is a complete elementary mathematics method, inspired by books designed by the Singapore Ministry of Education. The international study TIMSS (Trends in International Mathematics and Science Studies), which is based on tests conducted every 4 years with CM1 students and 4 th over 50 countries, indeed class students from Singapore to the first world place. Although this method has been around since 1982, it was only from the 2000s that it began to gain international recognition. It is now used in many countries and has proven its effectiveness everywhere.
The principle is simple: the concepts (addition, multiplication, fractions, decimals, etc.) are studied in depth until the students have mastered them completely. The method is based on an explicit method: concepts are explained clearly and briefly, then immediately applied in solving many problems. By solving a wide variety of different problems, students are encouraged to gain an in-depth understanding of mathematical processes. Learn more about explicit pedagogy: esingaporemath.com
What is the “concrete-pictorial-abstract” approach?
The main stake in the teaching of mathematics in elementary school is to help the pupils to pass from the concrete world which is familiar to them to an abstract vision, that is to say determined by rules, laws and immutable principles. For example, the pupils very quickly know how to count three erasers by manipulating them. The first challenge of the CP year is to help them understand that the number “3” represents these three erasers. Here is the approach of the Singapore math:
- The pupils are first confronted with mathematical notions through the manipulation of objects. (For example, they will learn addition by handling cubes or tokens). This is the concrete step.
- Then the objects are replaced by images that represent them. So a stack of ten cubes represents the number ten, then a dime coin, etc. This is the pictorial stage.
- Finally, when the students are familiar with the concepts of the lesson, they only work with numbers and symbols. This is the abstract stage.
Why are students encouraged to “draw models”?
Drawing Models is an ingenious system that helps students solve problems. When faced with a statement, they are encouraged to draw a visual representation of the question themselves. Concretely, they will draw bars of different lengths to determine which quantities are given in the statement, which quantities are unknown, and which operations will help them find the solution
It is not only an effective method for solving the most complex problems (especially proportionality) but also an excellent introduction to algebra. The fact of being able to visualize abstract notions is indeed the secret of success in algebra, and the fact of having learned it from elementary school will be a decisive help in all secondary education.
To take another example of “modeling”, students are invited from CP to represent each figure as a whole made up of two parts. This is called the “marriage of numbers” and allows you to understand that addition and subtraction are two facets of the same operation
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
