Math in Focus: Singapore Math
Fall 2013 Overview and Update
Kathryn Lemerich
Supervisor of Mathematics and Business
November 26, 2013
Look familiar?
A far deeper understanding of
mathematics is required
The Common Core State Standards
(CCSS) for Mathematics
The Common Core State Standards for
mathematics call for a new level of rigor, depth,
and coherence that will prepare our students to
compete successfully in college and in the
workforce.
Focus, Depth, and Mastery
How is Math in Focus different
from other programs?
• Focused Curriculum
• Less Topics to Devote More Time To
• More Rigorous
• Deep Understanding
• Strong Emphasis on Problem Solving
• Extensive Use of Visuals
• Goal is Mastery
• Aligned to the Common Core State Standards
Singapore’s Mathematics Framework
Emphasis on Problem Solving
Key Instructional Strategies:
Concrete-Pictorial-Abstract Pedagogy
4=3+1
Math
As
Thinking
Visualization
Number Bond:
• A tool used by students to represent numbers
• A whole is made up of parts
• If you know the parts, you can put them together
(add) to find the whole.
• If you know the whole and one of the parts, you take
away the part you know (subtract) to find the other
part.
WHOLE
4
PART
3
PART
7
Number Bonds Extend to Mental Math
8 + 6 =?
8 + 6
2
8 + 2 = 10
4
10 + 4 = 14
So, 8 + 6 = 14
Bar Model:
• A drawing used to show the understanding of a
problem
• Helps students make sense of the relationship
between values given in real-world problems
Frank has 25 baseball and football cards altogether.
He has 11 baseball card. How many football cards
does he have?
25
11
?
Ricardo spends 8/9 hour reading the newspaper. He
spends 1/4 of the time reading the world news and
splits the remaining time equally between the sports
and the comics. How much time does he spend
reading the comics?
1 hour
world news
Ricardo reads the comics for 3/9, OR 1/3, of an
hour, which is 20 minutes.
Implementation of
Math in Focus
2013-2014
Grades K-2 – Year 1 of full implementation
Grades 3-5 – Pilot lessons/units
2014-2015
Grades K-2 – Year 2 of full implementation
Grades 3-5 – Year 1 of full implementation
K-2 Implementation
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Curriculum Writing – May 2013
Full Day Professional Development – June 2013
Summer Institute (optional PD) – Summer 2013
Half Day Professional Development – October 2013
Informational Parent Night for K-2 Parents – October 2013
Think Central Access for all K-2 Families – October 2013
Half Day Professional Development – January 2014
Additional Professional Development and Math Family
Nights will be conducted for Grades K-2 teachers in Spring
2014, as well as throughout the 2014-2015 school year.
nd
2
Grade Prepares to Focus on Math
1st Grade Works on Number Bonds
3-5 Implementation
• Common Core Gap Analysis - June 2013
• Selection of Math in Focus Pilot Lessons/Units Based on
Gap Analysis – September 2013
• Full Day Professional Development – January 2014
• Curriculum Writing – May 2014
• Half Day Professional Development – June 2014
Additional Professional Development will be conducted for
Grades 3-5 teachers throughout the 2014-2015 school year.
Bar Modeling in
rd
3
Grade
Think Central
http://www-k6.thinkcentral.com/ePC/start.do
Math Background and Support Videos
(Think Central)
• Chapter Background
Videos with a
description of each
chapter’s content
• Parent Support
Videos with ‘at
home’ suggestions
• Singapore Math
Video Podcasts
Newsletters
Provides the
objectives
covered,
vocabulary that
can be
developed, and
an activity to
foster
understanding.
Feedback from Teachers and Parents
• “I am really excited about the curriculum and am very
impressed with the program so far.” – Parent
• “We have just returned to Madison from living in Hong Kong
and are so excited to have this Singapore math program in our
local schools. We have seen the success of the program first
hand with classmates in Hong Kong. Our older two children
had worked with Every Day Math and Madison's previous
curriculum. I believe this is a tremendous improvement to
these other math programs.” – Parent
• “Just wanted to let you know that I received rave reviews from
parents during conferences today regarding the new Math in
Focus program. They are thrilled with the program and only
wish they had been taught math the same way…I am also very
much enjoying the program and it's great to hear such positive
feedback!” –Teacher
Thank you!
Questions?