Singapore Math

I am using it at home with my son this summer. I really like it. It does a good job with concepts and has lots of practice too. It doesn’t introduce in a surfacy way as many different ideas as it seems most other approaches do.

I only use it at home but I love it too. It teaches clearly and is very colorful, fun appearence.

We use it at home and really like it. It provides primarily a visual approach to math (which is easily supplemented with manipulatives). It probaby would not work well for NLD children, but would work well for most others. It is designed for classroom use (this is what is actually used for curriculum in Singapore public schools) but is extremely easy to do one-on-one, and would work well for small group also.

Singapore has a number of strengths. It provides a good balance between concept development and computation. The problems contain built-in review of previously learned material. Problems are presented in a variety of contexts. Much of the material is largely self-teaching because it is very incremental. Starting with level 3A a very simple rod diagramming method is introduced which allows students to start analyzing problems visually. This becomes a very powerful tool in later levels, when it allows students to solve problems that would otherwise require algebraic equations. It also prepares a very solid foundation for algebra. Singapore is also very strong on word problems. They are introduced in such a way that students start solving multi-step word problems early with little effort.

Basically, you work a few pages in the coursebook orally with the students, to establish concepts. The children then work pretty much independently in the workbooks doing the exercise(s) indicated by the coursebook. There are supplemental materials available for students who need extra practice on the incremental steps for each level. There are different supplements available for students who would benefit from more challenging problems for their level.

Mary

How can I get Singapore Math. I am now guardian of a 14 year old (I am 64) former fighter pilot, col grad and know math. When I started going over math with my grandson I was shocked at what he did not know or understand. Went to the web and the symtoms look like LD. Poor coordination, “I forgot how to do that”…why can you add a decimal point and zeros when deviding….any help would be appreciated. Thanks, foreman

How can I get Singapore Math. I am now guardian of a 14 year old (I am 64) former fighter pilot, col grad and know math. When I started going over math with my grandson I was shocked at what he did not know or understand. Went to the web and the symtoms look like LD. Poor coordination, “I forgot how to do that”…why can you add a decimal point and zeros when deviding….any help would be appreciated. Thanks, foreman

Where can I get Singapore Math???Thanks,MaryMN wrote:
>
> We use it at home and really like it. It provides primarily
> a visual approach to math (which is easily supplemented with
> manipulatives). It probaby would not work well for NLD
> children, but would work well for most others. It is
> designed for classroom use (this is what is actually used for
> curriculum in Singapore public schools) but is extremely easy
> to do one-on-one, and would work well for small group also.
>
> Singapore has a number of strengths. It provides a good
> balance between concept development and computation. The
> problems contain built-in review of previously learned
> material. Problems are presented in a variety of contexts.
> Much of the material is largely self-teaching because it is
> very incremental. Starting with level 3A a very simple rod
> diagramming method is introduced which allows students to
> start analyzing problems visually. This becomes a very
> powerful tool in later levels, when it allows students to
> solve problems that would otherwise require algebraic
> equations. It also prepares a very solid foundation for
> algebra. Singapore is also very strong on word problems.
> They are introduced in such a way that students start solving
> multi-step word problems early with little effort.
>
> Basically, you work a few pages in the coursebook orally with
> the students, to establish concepts. The children then work
> pretty much independently in the workbooks doing the
> exercise(s) indicated by the coursebook. There are
> supplemental materials available for students who need extra
> practice on the incremental steps for each level. There are
> different supplements available for students who would
> benefit from more challenging problems for their level.
>
> Mary

I order mine from http://www.singaporemath.com. The website has sample pages and placement exams.

Older children can have trouble transitioning to Singapore because they lack so many of the concepts. Be sure to start him low enough. You can always fast-page through areas where he doesn’t need review. Level 3 introduces the “rod diagramming” approach to solving word problems that comes in very useful for solving algebraic problems without equations. Level 3 is about equivalent to U.S. 4th grade level math, but don’t be afraid to start him there in order to do a quick review and get him accustomed to the new approach. That’s probably where I would start.

There is a free support email list for Singapore. To join, go to http://www.groups.yahoo.com and search for SingaporeMath.

There are also forums on the website with resident experts who can be helpful. You might want to ask at the forums and on the email list about the best place to start a 14yo with his particular weaknesses. I’m not an expert, but I have seen Level 3 recommended for other older students when transitioning.

Mary