Brief introduction to Singapore Math done in 2007.

1. Introduction to
Singapore Math
Cassy Turner
www.SingaporeMathSource.com

2. Why Implement
Singapore Math?
Singapore students placed top three
of all participating countries in 2007,
2003, 1999, 1995 on the TIMSS…
…both fourth and eighth grade students!

3. What is the TIMSS?
Benchmarking study of mathematics
and science achievement carried out
since 1995 by the International
Association for the Evaluation of
Educational Achievement.

4. What is the TIMSS?
 In 2007, 48 countries participated in
TIMSS, at the fourth-grade level, the
eighth-grade level, or both.
 2007 results are the most recent
comparison (2003, 1999, 1995 are the
dates of earlier studies).
 2011 results will be released
December 20012.

5. Average mathematics scale scores of
fourth-grade students, by country: 2007
Hong Kong 607
Singapore 599
Chinese Taipei 576
Japan 568
Kazahkstan 549
Russian Federation 544
Finland 541
Latvia 537
Netherlands 535 SOURCE:
England 531 Trends in International
Lithuania 530 Mathematics and
Science Study (TIMSS),
United States 529 2007
Germany 525
http://nces.ed.gov/timss/table07
Denmark 523
International 500

6. Average mathematics scale scores of
eighth-grade students, by country: 2007
Chinese Taipei 598
Korea, Republic of 597
Singapore 593
Hong Kong 572
Japan 570
Hungary 517
England 513 SOURCE:
Russian Federation 512 Trends in International
Mathematics and
United States 508 Science Study
(TIMSS), 2007
Lithuania 506 http://nces.ed.gov/timss/tab
Czech rRepublic 504
Scale Average 500

7. Five Factors to
Singapore’s Success
1. A sound curriculum
2. High expectations
3. Subject banding
4. Well-managed schools
5. Qualified & dedicated teachers

8. Singapore Math Philosophy
Topics are introduced then used
for challenging problems
 Emphasis on Mental Math
26 + 16
26 4 12
30 + 12 = 42

9. Singapore Math Philosophy
Word problems begin in 1st grade.
Instruction moves from the concrete
to the pictorial to the abstract.
Great for visual & English Language
Learners.
Mastery of basic math facts
required!

10. Begin with the basics…
Concrete
? Pictorial
7+3= Abstract

11. 2 Types of Bar Models
Part - Whole Model
Used to find the whole given the parts
or the parts given the whole.
Comparison Bars
Used to compare two objects to
each other.

12. Part – Whole Models
On Tuesday, Cole ran 6 miles. On Thursday,
he ran 8 miles. How many miles did he run
altogether?
6 mi 8 mi
? mi

13. Comparison Bar Models
Lisa is 13 years old. Her sister is 22 years old.
Find the difference in age between them.
13 ?
Lisa
Sister
22

14. Ready to Try
Some Word
Problems?

15. In a class, 2/5 of the students wear
glasses.
If 16 students wear glasses, how
many students are there
altogether?
(Primary Mathematics Standards Edition 3b)

16. John and Paul spent $45 altogether.
John and Henry spent $65 altogether.
If Henry spent 3 times as much as
Paul, how much did John spend?
(Primary Mathematics Standards Edition 5a)

17. Looking for the answers?
Email:
cassy@singaporemathsource.com