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Successful implementation: Buying books is just the first step

December 17, 2010 by 2 Comments

Schools considering Singapore Math programs in their schools frequently ask me what the biggest challenges are when adopting  the curriculum. Let me give you an example from a third grade classroom I visited recently.

The math period started with a mad math minute type of activity of either addition or subtraction, depending where the students were working.  For the lessons on multiplication and division by 8’s and 9’s, the teacher chose to list the tables from 2 x 8 through 9 x 8 on the whiteboard and have the students copy them down, like this:

Next, the teacher had the students make flash cards and quiz each other.  Finally, in a class of 27, they played around the world. The game where two students compete against each other to see who can get the answer to the problem on the flash card faster.

The lesson in the textbook does include some multiplication charts. The textbook was open on the teacher’s desk and she did refer to it at least once during the lesson:

Primary Mathematics 3A Textbook, U.S. Edition:

Notice how the textbook draws out a student’s prior knowledge to show the patterns behind the computation?

The 3A Teacher’s Guide includes a more comprehensive lesson based on a deeper understanding of the number 8 and it’s multiples. I couldn’t find it in the room.

(Click to enlarge)

Can you see the difference in the depth of a student’s understanding  after the Primary Mathematics lesson?

Note that the subsequent three lessons are:

  • Multiplying a 2 or 3 digit number by 8.
  • Dividing a 2 or 3 digit number by 8.
  • Word problems that require multiplying and dividing by 8.

The sequence of lessons follows the same pattern for the number 9.

When I asked the teacher about the lesson, she essentially said, “well, I didn’t think to look at the teacher’s guide. I’ve always taught this way.” She’s new to the school and only had about 2 hours of training.

Back to the original question. One of the biggest challenges for schools adopting the Singapore Math curriculum is the need for adequate training. If teachers don’t understand what makes Singapore different or if they lack content knowledge,  they’ll continue to teach the way they always have. Effective training will give teachers an understanding of Singapore Math’s philosophy and approach and leave them with confidence in their ability to teach it.

Buying the curriculum is the first step. Successful schools invest in content-based training.

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Understanding trumps tricks

December 11, 2010 by 1 Comment

My friend Allison (MIT graduate in Mathematics) recently explained why she struggled with inequalities as a child.

To help students remember which way the inequality sign pointed, the teacher drew an alligator mouth. You know the lesson. Here’s an example from songsforteaching.com:

And the song lyrics:

And one from GradeAMathHelp.com

And this simple shortcut or trick was the cause of all of Allison’s troubles with inequalities.

She explained: “everyone knows, the bigger fish eats the small fish”:

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Seeking Singapore Math Assessments?

October 29, 2010 by 1 Comment

A recent visitor left this comment:

I am part of a team of first grade teachers at my school. We are piloting Singapore Math this year. We are creating assessments and were looking for ready-made assessments to genuinely fit the curriculum.

One of the challenges for a classroom teacher using the U.S Edition is that there aren’t any assessments ready-made. The Standards Edition of Primary Mathematics has assessments, however they won’t correspond directly to the U.S. Edition Materials.

Keep in mind that if you write the questions, you can tailor them to the objectives of your lessons. Are you assessing for basic competency? Are you assessing for deeper understanding? Additionally, for a teacher-created assessment, you need to create an answer key. I frequently hear from teachers who tell me, “Well, I gave this test, but all I have is the answer and I’m not sure how to work the problem.”

That being said, I know teachers’ time is valuable. Many teachers use questions from the Review sections of the textbook. Other basic questions from Intensive Practice books or practice problems from the Challenging Word Problems books could be used as well.

Be sure to save any well-written assessments for future use. After one year of working with the materials, you should have a good bank of assessments for future years.

One site that offers Singapore test paper problems for free (with registration) is Old School. At the first grade they have several mid-year and end-of-term papers available. Teachers can select the questions, either short answer or multiple choice, and create an assessment.  Additionally, you can choose problems from a list of topics. Topics for first grade are:

  • Addition and Subtraction
  • Combination Questions (3%)
  • Comparing and Ordering numbers (13%)
  • Division (1%)
  • General (1%)
  • Graphs (5%)
  • Measurements (7%)
  • Multiplication (3%)
  • Notation and Place values (9%)
  • Shapes and Patterns (12%)

Would you be interested in a test bank of questions? How about a place for sharing some teacher-made tests?

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Upcoming Singapore Math Trainings

October 11, 2010 by 5 Comments

(Teachers can save the economy courtesy of Indexed.)

In response to requests about upcoming trainings, here are some of my Singapore Math workshops that are open to the public.

The seminar “How to Use Strategies from Singapore Math to Strengthen your Math Instruction” will be offered in several cities this winter. You can read more about these one day seminars and register by clicking on the city.

January 31 – Neenah, WI

February 1 – Madison, WI

February 2 – Rochester, MN

February 3 – Sioux Falls, SD

February 4 – Fargo, ND

Save the date – May seminars will be opening for registration soon!
May 9 – Providence, RI
May 10 – Albany, NY
May 11 – Hartford, CT
May 12 – Dallas, TX
May 13 – Phoenix, AZ

Whether you’re new to Singapore Math or just interested in learning more about some of the strategies, you’re sure to leave with a new understanding of the curriculum, strategies that you can use tomorrow and renewed energy for teaching math. (Plus a handy-dandy handbook!)

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Singapore Math in the News

October 1, 2010 by 2 Comments

The internet is abuzz with Singapore Math stories lately, from the New York Times to the numerous schools announcing a new adoption. Here’s what you may have missed:

From the New York Times:

Singapore Math Adopted in More U.S. Schools

Singapore math’s added appeal is that it has largely skirted the math wars of recent decades over whether to teach traditional math or reform math. Indeed, Singapore math has often been described by educators and parents as a more balanced approach between the two, melding old-fashioned algorithms with visual representations and critical thinking.

A Slower Approach to Math

Here in New York City, home to the nation’s largest school system, a small but growing number of schools have adopted this approach, based on Singapore’s national math system.Many teachers and parents here say Singapore math helps children develop a deeper understanding of numbers and math concepts than they gain through other math programs.

From the Voice of America:

Singapore Math Adds Up for US Teachers

By intensively training more teachers, he says, he hopes more students will get a chance to experience this new approach to learning math.

Singapore Math expert Baldridge says this curriculum, which was introduced to the U.S. through the home school market, is beginning to catch on in schools across the country.

From The Daily Riff:

“Teach less, learn more.” Lessons from Singapore by Bill Jackson:
Singapore Math Demystified by Bill Jackson:

From the American Educator:

Beyond Singapore’s Mathematics Textbooks -Focused and Flexible Supports for Teaching and Learning

Today, Singapore’s mathematics textbooks are available in the United States, so it is tempting to think that there is an easy solution to increasing mathematics achievment here-just adopt the textbooks. But the textbooks are not solely responsible for Singapore’s success; these written resources are just one part of a multifaceted approach.

Schools Adopting Singapore Math programs:

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