"Singapore" Math

Educators, if this blog does not catch your interest, I don't know what will! That is not a slam! As I have traveled the country discussing education, the one concept for math that has continually come up is Singapore math. What is Singapore math? If I use bar modeling, aren't I teaching Singapore math? We are not Singapore, why should we teach like their teachers? The questions go on and on! Seriously, I have pages of them!

So, what is "Singapore Math"? This is a question that has multiple correct answers. To begin with, the TINY country of Singapore was not scoring very high on the international math skills tests in the 1980's and before...The TIMSS (Teachers in International Mathematics and Science Study) as it is referred to, is a way that different countries are able to compare their student data with other countries. So, Singapore was performing horribly. Long story made short for blogging, they decided to revamp and create their own program utilizing high performing countries best practices. They then came up with a curriculum that teaches mathematical concepts by way of doing hands on activities, ie using manipulatives, using pictures, and then teaching the abstract mathematical equation. By 1992, they started performing at the top of the TIMSS report. Fifteen years later, they are still performing at the tops of the TIMSS report. As shown with this data, Singapore's success is not a fluke. It is a systematically valid way of teaching mathematical concepts to children.

The famous, "I am using bar modeling, therefore I am teaching the Singapore way." I think I have heard this in every inservice or training I have conducted or sat through in the last 2 years. I hate to burst your bubble, but bar modeling is NOT the only item taught in Singapore math. The basis of Singapore math is word problems...Yes the dreaded word problem...The program is based on word problems and ways to solve them. Pictorial representations are a part of it as well. So is learning basic addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division facts. And yes, bar modeling is a major part of the Singapore curriculum, but by far is not the only pictoral piece.

And finally, I realize we do not live in Singapore! The point is not to be like Singapore...The point is that they have created a successful program for their students who were at one time one of the lowest performing mathematical countries in the world. We would be crazy to ignore this fact. Educators of mathematics must look at the concepts and procedures that are taught in Singapore math and objectively decide if it is a preferred teaching form for their classrooms/schools. Remember, the core standards that have been adopted in many states based much of their mathematical weight on Singapore math. It is actually noted in the standards themselves!

And on a side note, my children go to school in a district that has chosen NOT to utilize the Singapore curriculum. I am not ok with that. I make sure that when they bring homework home, or when we have free time on the weekends, that we "play" school. During this time I am constantly teaching the concrete-pictorial-abstract mode that has made Singapore math successful. I refuse to let my children fall through the cracks when it comes to math. And although I completely support my local school district, I am allowed to have an opinion on best mathematical practices. My opinion is that Singapore math will be beneficial to my children, and therefore I will continue to supplement them at home with strategies that will hopefully make their future math classes easier. This does not mean that I belittle the program they are using. I am sure there are positive aspect in their minds or they wouldn't use it.