Comparing Singapore Math Materials

One of the most Frequently Asked Questions I get is, “Which “Singapore Math” curriculum  should we use?”

There are a lot of differences between the series’ and yet, they are alike in many ways as well. To help you compare the main curriculums that have been released in the past few years, this page includes some examples and a lesson sequence by level that you can reference.

Before continuing, I should say right up front that I was on the writing team for Dimensions Math, and authored the Teacher’s Guides (k-5). In addition, my co-presenter for Jumpstart Your Singapore Math since 2021 was on the writing teams for both Math in Focus 2020 and Primary Mathematics 2022.

There are three updated main textbook options for schools considering a Singapore Math® program:

  • Dimensions Math
  • Math in Focus 2020
  • Primary Math 2022

In addition, there are older options of Primary Mathematics:

  • U.S. Edition
  • Standards Edition
  • Common Core Edition

Math in Focus also has editions from 2010, 2015, and 2018, which will be discontinued in 2023.

What makes these updated versions different from older materials? The emphasis on Singapore’s Three Phases of Learning:

From Teaching Primary School Mathematics: A Resource Guide (2009)
From Primary Mathematics Teaching and Learning Syllabus (2012 and 2020)

 

Each curriculum includes components  of this model  using different terminology:

Dimensions Math

Readiness:
  • Chapter Opener
  • Think
Engagement:
  • Learn
Mastery:
  • Do
  • Practice

Math in Focus 2020

Readiness:
  • Chapter Opener/Recall Prior Knowledge
  • Think
  • Engage
Engagement:
  • Learn
Mastery:
  • Try
  • Math Journal
  • Put on Your Thinking Cap
  • Performance Task
  • Steam

Primary Mathematics 2022

Readiness:
  • Chapter Opener/Recall
Engagement:
  • Task
  • Learn
  • Learn Together
Mastery:
  • Practice on Your Own
  • Performance Task
  • Steam Project Work
  • Chapter Practice

Additional Lesson Components

Each of these sets of materials also includes additional lessons worked into the Chapter Planning Guides. For space, these are not repeated in the chapter-by-chapter Lesson Sequence included below. 

Dimensions Math:

  • Chapter Openers can be one day, or a brief review depending on student prior knowledge.
  • Each Chapter has between 1 and 3 Practice Lessons that apply and synthesize the previous lessons in the chapter.
  • Each level has quarterly Reviews that are cumulative. (Level 5 has 5 of these Reviews)

Math in Focus 2020

  • Chapter Opener/Recall Prior Knowledge activities and assessments start each chapter off as a one-day lesson.
  • Each chapter concludes with additional lessons:
    • Math Journal/Put on Your Thinking Cap! (Typically 1 day)

    • Chapter Wrap-Up/Chapter Review/Performance Task (Can be multiple days)

    • Steam Project Work (Some Chapters, Not all)

Primary Mathematics 2022

  • The title has been shortened to “Primary Math” below to save space.
  • Chapter Opener/Recall activities and assessments start each chapter off as a one-day lesson
  • Most chapters conclude with additional lessons
    • Chapter Wrap-Up/Performance Task
    • Steam Project Work
    • Chapter Practice (can be two-days)
    • Solve! Heuristics

Lesson Sequence

Curriculum Materials

Dimensions Math

  • Teacher’s Guides A & B
  • Textbooks A & B
  • Workbooks A & B
  • Tests A & B
  • Blackline Masters (Online) 
  • Letters home (Online)
  • Online Component

Math in Focus 2020

  • Teacher’s Guides A & B
  • Student Book A & B
  • Extra Practice and Homework
  • Reteach
  • Enrichment
  • Online Component

Primary Math 2022

  • Teacher’s Guides A & B
  • Student Book A & B
  • Reteach
  • Extension
  • Assessments
  • School to Home Letters (Online)
  • Online Component

Curriculum Samples

Coming Soon!

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