What is Singapore Math and
Why is My Kid Using It?
What is Singapore Math?
It is the highly successful national math
program that has been taught in the country
of Singapore since 1982.
In the year 2000 the Singapore Math Primary
Mathematics series was adapted for use in
the United States.
Why is Singapore Math
being implemented in
our school?
Singapore students ranked highest in the world on
the math portion of the Trends in International
Mathematics and Science Study, TIMSS.
(1995, 1999, 2003, 2007)
What is the TIMSS
Trends
International
Mathematics &
Science
Study
 Every 4 years
 50 countries
 4th & 8th Grade
Each country is required to draw a random, nationally representative
sample of students and schools.
In the U.S. fourth grade, 500 schools and 9,829 students participated.
© SMARTTraining, LLC 2010
2007 TIMSS RESULTS
Average math scores fourth and eighth grade students
Grade four
Country
Grade eight
Average
score
Average score Country
TIMSS scale average
Hong Kong SAR
Singapore
500 TIMSS scale average
500
607 Chinese Taipei
598
Korea, Rep. of
597
599
Chinese Taipei
576
Japan
568 Hong Kong SAR
572
Kazakhstan
549 Japan
570
Russian Federation
544 Hungary
517
England
541 England
513
Latvia
537 Russian Federation
512
Netherlands
535
Lithuania
530 Lithuania
United States
529
Singapore
United States
Czech Republic
593
508
506
504
Germany
525 Slovenia
501
Denmark
523 Armenia
499
Australia
516 Australia
© SMARTTraining, LLC 2010
How does Singapore Math
accomplish student success?
 Manipulatives and hands-on activities that
build concrete understanding
 Unique strategies that build from year to
year
 User friendly student texts and workbooks
 Detailed teachers’ editions and teacher
training
Singapore Math teaches
WHY THE MATH
WORKS…
not just the how.
© SMARTTraining, LLC 2010
2¾ ÷ ½=
How do you solve
this problem?
Why did you invert
and multiply?
© SMARTTraining, LLC 2010
2¾ ÷ ½=
How many halves are in 2?
© SMARTTraining, LLC 2010
How many halves in ¾ ?
There are 1 ½ halves in ¾.
© SMARTTraining, LLC 2010
There are 5 ½ halves
in 2 ¾.
2¾ ÷ ½=5½
© SMARTTraining, LLC 2010
Manipulatives and
Hands-on Activities are used
to develop concrete
understanding
Singapore Math uses number disks, place
value charts, shape cutouts, dice, number
cards, games, and more!
Strategies not Tricks!
• Number bonds help students learn math
facts
7
• Specific lessons develop mental math
strategies
34.73 + 14.98 = 34.73 + 15 - .02 = 49.71
• Bar modeling is used to solve word problems
12
4 units = 12
1 unit = 12/4 = 3
3 units = 3 x 3 = 9
?
3
4
Language is Important!!!
• How many hundreds are in the following
number?
5034
• This number can be “defined” many
ways!
User Friendly
Student Textbooks and
Workbooks
 Smaller, less repetition, work progressively
increases in difficulty
 Provides the pictorial and abstract practice
students need in order to fully develop
their knowledge and use of mathematics
Detailed Teachers Editions
and Training
• Teachers’ editions provide very guided instruction
for teachers
• Teachers have participated in professional
development since last year
• Ongoing support & training throughout the year
Are you smarter than a
5th grader?
Maria won a cash prize. She
spent 3/8 of the prize on a
washing machine, 2/5 of it on
a refrigerator, $180 on a fan.
If she had $270 left, how much
was the prize?
COPY RIGHTED SMARTTraining, LLC
Divide into Eighths
Maria won a
cash prize.
She spent
3/8 of the
prize on a
washing
machine.
COPY RIGHTED SMARTTraining, LLC
Mark Off 3/8’s
Washer
Washer
Washer
COPY RIGHTED SMARTTraining, LLC
Divide into fifths
Washer
Washer
Washer
2/5 of it on a
refrigerator…
COPY RIGHTED SMARTTraining, LLC
Mark Off 2/5’s = 16 units
Washer
Washer
2/5 of it on a
refrigerator…
Washer
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
COPY RIGHTED SMARTTraining, LLC
Fan + Balance of Money = $450.00
$180.00 + $270.00 = $450.00 is the remainder.
There are 9 units in the remainder. Each unit is
$50.00.There are 40 units total.
$50.00 x 40 = $2000.
The Total Cash Prize Was $2000.00
Maria won a cash prize. She spent 3/8 of
the prize on a washing machine, 2/5 of it
on a refrigerator, $180 on a fan. If she
had $270 left, how much was the prize?
COPY RIGHTED SMARTTraining, LLC
R
R
R
R
R
Washer
Washer
Washer
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
Singapore Math Parents:
• May see homework with fewer but more
challenging problems
• Will need to allow your child to work math
using Singapore Math methods
• Will need to practice math facts daily
Why is
Singapore Math
right for
our students?
The Singapore Math
program is rigorous!
It has over 20 years
of proven success!!
It is time to move forward!!!