Teachers often ask, “What’s the difference between (the textbook I’m using now) and Singapore Math textbooks?” While there are many answers, I’d like to direct you to a resource that has been pointing out some differences for over a year.
Once a week, Lefty (as in left-brained) over at Out In Left Field posts assignment comparisons between either a traditional math program or Singapore Math and various reform math textbooks.
From the original post:
Math problems of the week: Reform Math vs. other math
We’ll pair up a specific assignment drawn from this set with a specific assignment drawn either from a traditional series like McGraw-Hill, or from the foreign series most popular in America: Singapore Math.
I’ll try to pick assignments that take place at approximately the same point in the school year. For example, I might choose two assignments from the first few weeks of first grade, or from the last few weeks of second grade, or from approximately 2/3 of the way into third grade.
At the end of many posts are some thought provoking Extra Credit questions. Some examples:
- Which problem set involves more rote repetition of a given algorithm?
- Which problem set is more accessible to children with language impairments?
- Discuss how the two problem sets reflect the cultural and political differences between American and Singaporean societies.
Although many of the sample problems come from Singapore Math, there are also comparisons to traditional math books from the 1920s.
Enjoy!
About Cassy Turner
