Introduction to Singapore Math
Lauren Quinn
K-5 Math Coordinator
Why Singapore Math?
• Trends in International Mathematics and Science
(TIMSS) Study
• Promotes deeper understanding of essential
math concepts
• Enhances problem-solving skills
• Helps all students
– As intervention strategies to support struggling
learners
– As extension strategies to challenge advanced learners
Introduction to Singapore Math
C-P-A approach (Concrete-Pictorial-Abstract)
Introduction to Singapore Math
Guided Release of Responsibility Model
• Teacher Modeling
• Students practice with the teacher
• Small Groups/Partner
• Independent Practice
*Opportunities for children to explain and justify
their work promotes a much higher level of thinking
than just “getting the answer.”
Bloom’s Taxonomy: Classification of
Intellectual Behavior
Key components of Singapore Math
• Number Sense
• Problem Solving
• Mental Math
Number Sense: Part-Whole Thinking
Number Sense: Place Value
Number Sense: Decomposing numbers
in Addition
58 + 16
2 14
60 + 14 = 74
27 + 56
3 53
30 + 53 = 83
Number Sense: Decomposing
Numbers
14 oz. + 6 oz.
2
4
16 oz. = 1 lb. 4 oz.
Number Sense: Decomposing Numbers in
Subtraction
90 – 18
90 – 63
2
70 20
70 + 2 = 72
Number Sense: Compensation
Compensation in subtraction
5,000
4,999
-3,267
-3,266
1,733
Problem Solving: Model Drawing
Adam bought a pen. He also bought a book which cost 3 times
as much as the pen. He spent $112 altogether. Find the cost of
the book.
Pen
Book
112 ÷ 4 = 28
1 unit = $28
$28 x 3 = cost of book
$28 x 3 = $84
$112
The book cost $________.
Problem Solving: Model Drawing
Alberto completed 32 pages of his book for homework on Monday. On
Tuesday he finished 1/6 of the remainder. Then he still had half the book to
complete. Find the total number of pages he still has to complete for his
homework.
1/2
Alberto’s book
1/2
Tues
remainder
½ book = 5 units
32 pages = 4 units
32 divided by 4 = 8
Think, 5 is half of 10 so we can think of Alberto’s whole book as 10
units.
Think, 8 pages per unit. 5 units left to read.
8 x 5 = 40
Alberto has 40 pages left to read for homework.
What Can I do at Home to Support my
Child?
• Questioning
-How do you know?
-Can you solve it another way?
• School Resources
- Friday letter
- Math webpage (math.csov.org)
• Games
“Singapore Math gives students a solid math
foundation upon which to build increasingly complex
skills, and makes it less likely that they will have to be
retaught the same thing in later years.”
New York Times
Friday, October 1, 2010
“We cannot always build the future for our
youth, but we can build our youth for the
future.”
-Franklin D. Roosevelt