What is Singaporean Math
Singaporean Math involves the mastery of a singular mathematical idea before progressing onto more complicated concepts. For example, developing the ability to add and subtract from only 2 digits, to 15 digits, before learning about division or multiplication.
This helps to promote learning over memorization. To really solidify this idea, a 3-step Practice-to-Mastery process is then taken to help ensure proper learning.
Setting the foundations, solidifying one’s knowledge with pictures, then solving abstractedly with exclusively numbers and symbols.
Even Amazon’s CEO Jeff Bezos’ kids are using this method; as it has proven to significantly accelerate the rate at which students learned math skills.
North American Math on the other hand, preaches a “mindset” approach. Utilizing memorization and understanding the “broader” concept instead of breaking down into smaller steps for mastery.
Singaporean math is rarely taught in North America due to the fact that it’s not easy to implement. However, Pearlynne Leong has developed a program Simplicity Counts™ which helps to integrate this concept into a “North American” style, which allows students to develop the skills taught in Singapore for everyday success.
Pros of Singapore Math
Textbooks and workbooks are simple to read with clear and concise graphics.
Textbooks are sequential, building on previously learned concepts and skills, which offers the opportunity for learning acceleration without the need for supplemental work.
Asks for students to build meaning to learn concepts and skills, as opposed to rote memorization of rules and formulas.
Covers fewer topics in a year, but in an in-depth way that ensures students have a foundation to move forward without needing to relearn concepts.
Cons of Singapore Math
Requires extensive and ongoing teacher training, which is neither financially or practically feasible in a number of school districts and not always practical for children who are homeschooled.
Doesn’t work well for a nomadic student population. Many students move in and out of school districts, which isn’t a big problem when the math programs are similar. However, since Singapore Math is sequential and doesn’t re-teach concepts or skills, using the program could potentially set these students up for failure whether they’re moving into or out of a district using it.
