Singapore Math in a Nutshell

Our new book, "We Didn't Learn Math This Way! A K-5 Guide for Confused Adults" explains a lot of the teaching approaches and strategies currently used in American classrooms. Many of these approaches and strategies were developed in the country of Singapore.

Origins of Singapore Math

Singapore created an intensive math program for the students of that country in the 1980's.

Since then, students in Singapore have consistently scored at the top of international ratings on both the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) and the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA). These highly regarded companies compare student math achievement by country. American students have consistently scored significantly lower than students in Singapore on the international assessments.

Bringing Singapore Math to the USA

Singapore Math was made available to American math students in 1998 when Dawn and Jeffrey Thomas began importing math textbooks from Singapore and selling them in the U.S.

Since then, Singapore Math has spread throughout the country. (Their company, SM, is our publisher. You can see their current shop by clicking HERE.)

Our publisher, Singapore Math.

In 2003, a group of American math educators worked together to create new math standards for American students. In doing so, they looked to the math education in Singapore, Hong Kong, and Korea, which were the top three scoring countries on the recent TIMSS. These new standards, released in 2010, were called the Common Core State Standards. The majority of states adopted the new standards. Some states have created their own standards, which also relied heavily on Singapore Math.

Singapore Math vs. the "old way"

What are the differences between Singapore Math and traditional math taught in the United States?

Concrete - Pictorial - Abstract

First, Singapore Math teaches all concepts using a Concrete - Pictorial - Abstract approach. On introduction, learners explore a new concept using hands-on materials. The students then move to the pictorial stage, where they view and draw picture representations of math problems. Finally, students learn efficient methods of solving the math problems using paper and pencil.

First, Singapore Math teaches all concepts using a Concrete - Pictorial - Abstract approach.

Bar Models & Tape Diagrams

Another difference is the use of bar models/tape diagrams to help solve math story problems.

These models/diagrams lead to early algebraic thinking, but are less abstract than using letters, (variables) for the unknowns.

Bar models are often used in Singapore Math.

Number Bonds

Thirdly, students learn addition and subtraction using "number bonds" before using symbolic representation (plus, minus, and equal signs). Number bonds show the relationship between parts and wholes.

Number bonds are explained in our book, "We Didn't Learn Math This Way!"

Mental Math

There is a very heavy emphasis on mental math in Singapore Math. Confidence in mental math is critical for confidence in math in general.

Just one of the many funny math cartoons featured in "We Didn't Learn Math This Way!"

Singapore Math is a proven curriculum that we are excited to see in American classrooms. We want to give teachers and parents every advantage as we adjust to this new frontier in math education. That is why we wrote the book, "We Didn't Learn Math This Way! A K-5 Guide for the Confused Adult".  In it, all the concepts mentioned above are discussed extensively as well as many others. Find it now through our publisher, Singapore Math.