What Is Singapore Math?
What Singapore Math means
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Singapore Math is the generic name of
the math curriculum or syllabus that is created by the education ministry
in Singapore for use in Singapore schools.
Singapore's math curriculum gained worldwide recognition when Singapore
was ranked first in mathematics in the Third
International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) in 1995 and Third
International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) in 1999.
As more and more people around the world became fascinated with the
astounding success of Singapore students in mathematics, they began
referring to Singapore's math curriculum as simply Singapore Math.
Other than Singapore Math, there are also Singapore
Science, Singapore English, Singapore
Chinese, Singapore Geography, Singapore
Music and Singapore Art And
Crafts.
What Singapore Math encompasses
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Since Singapore Math refers to the math curriculum that is used in
Singapore schools, it encompasses all the textbooks, workbooks and other
materials that are based on this great math curriculum.
Singapore Math is not confined to the primary school levels. The Singapore
Math curriculum extends beyond the primary school levels (first grade
through sixth grade) to the secondary school levels (seventh grade through
tenth grade) and the junior college levels (eleventh grade and twelfth
grade).
The Singapore Math curriculum for the primary school levels (first
grade through sixth grade) is also known as the Singapore Primary Math
curriculum.
The Singapore Math curriculum for the secondary school levels (seventh
grade through tenth grade) is also known as the Singapore Secondary Math
curriculum.
Singapore Primary Math curriculum has
changed!
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1981 Singapore Primary Math curriculum
The first Singapore Primary Math curriculum (aka syllabus, scope and
sequence, or teaching structure) was developed in 1981. The first
Singapore Primary Math series was published at around that time and was
known as Primary Mathematics.
1991 Singapore Primary Math curriculum
In 1991, Singapore's education ministry reviewed the 1981 Singapore
Primary Math curriculum and made various changes to it. That Singapore
Math curriculum became known as the 1991 Singapore Primary Math
curriculum. The Primary Mathematics series was revised according to this
1991 Singapore Primary Math curriculum and became Primary Mathematics
(Second Edition).
1994 Singapore Primary Math curriculum
In 1994, Singapore's education ministry again reviewed the 1991
Singapore Primary Math curriculum and made more changes to it. That
Singapore Math curriculum became known as the 1994 Singapore Primary Math
curriculum. The Primary Mathematics (Second Edition) series was revised
according to this 1994 Singapore Primary Math curriculum and became
Primary Mathematics (Third Edition).
1999 Reduced-Content Singapore Primary Math curriculum
In 1999, Singapore's education ministry again reviewed the 1994
Singapore Primary Math curriculum and made various changes to it. Various
math sub-topics were deleted from the 1994 Singapore Primary Math
curriculum for each level from 1st Grade / Primary 1 through 6th Grade /
Primary 6. An important reason behind that move was to lighten the load of
the Singapore Math teachers while Singapore's education system was being
restructured at that time.
That Singapore Math curriculum became known as the 1999 Reduced-Content
Singapore Primary Math curriculum. The Primary Mathematics (Third Edition)
series was revised according to this 1999 Reduced-Content Singapore
Primary Math curriculum and remains known as Primary Mathematics (Third
Edition).
2001 Singapore Primary Math curriculum
In 2001, Singapore's education ministry introduced changes in the
teaching methodologies, learning approaches and assessment modes of
primary school math. One of its aims is " teach our young to think
creatively and apply knowledge innovatively" so as to "meet
our objective of developing creative independent learners".
That Singapore Math curriculum became known as the 2001 Singapore Primary
Math curriculum.
Another change in the 2001 Singapore Primary Math curriculum was the
introduction of Information Technology (IT). Singapore recognises the need
to instill in children the interest and capability to use computers, the
Internet and other forms of IT at a young age, so as to prepare them for
the new era. Children would learn how to use IT in their math learning,
starting from first grade / primary one.
Yet another change was the introduction of National Education. This
usually comes in the subtle form of math puzzles, where children may learn
some simple facts about Singapore, such as the colours of the Singapore
flag and the name of Singapore's first prime minister, after solving some
math questions. This would expose non-Singaporeans to some extra knowledge
about a country other than their own, which would expand their
horizons and which they may find interesting and exciting.
You may wish to note that Primary Mathematics (Third Edition) is not
based on the 2001 Singapore Primary Math curriculum, especially in regards
to the changes in the teaching methodologies, learning approaches and
assessment modes of primary school math, as well as the introduction of
Information Technology (IT). Only the new
and improved Singapore Math textbook packages are based on the new
2001 Singapore Primary Math curriculum.
Why Singapore Primary Math curriculum keeps changing
You may be wondering why Singapore's education ministry keeps reviewing
the Singapore Primary Math curriculum. One reason is to introduce new
teaching principles, methodologies and techniques to continually raise the
math standards of Singapore students on the international arena.
Another reason is to ensure that the curriculum meets the needs of
Singapore, remains relevant in the ever changing global economy, and to
prepare Singapore students to meet the challenges of the new times.
A third reason is to target the right math topics and math concepts at
the right level and age. For example, some math topics were brought
forward (e.g. from 5th Grade / Primary 5 to 4th Grade / Primary 4) or
backward (e.g. from 5th Grade / Primary 5 to 6th Grade / Primary 6).
A fourth reason is to remove certain math topics and math concepts
which many students cannot understand properly at their level and age, or
which is already covered at a higher or lower level to reduce the
duplication of content coverage.
A fifth reason is to introduce new math topics and math concepts for
certain levels, e.g. tessellations and problem-solving models, so as to
improve the children's abstract thinking in math.
The 2001 Singapore Primary Math curriculum is the best Singapore
Primary Math curriculum to-date
Having undergone so many changes over the years, you can therefore be
sure that the 2001 Singapore Primary Math curriculum is the best Singapore
Primary Math curriculum to-date.
The new 2001 Singapore Primary Math curriculum was developed to also
ensure that Singapore students maintain their grip on the title of being
the number one in mathematics in the world in the years to come.
Primary Mathematics (Third Edition) is NOT based
on the 2001 Singapore Primary Math curriculum
Although Singapore's education ministry could have revised Primary
Mathematics (Third Edition) according to the new 2001 Singapore Primary
Math curriculum and continued its use in at least some Singapore primary
schools, it decided to discontinue the use of Primary Mathematics (Third
Edition) completely in all Singapore primary schools, starting with 1st
Grade / Primary 1 in 2001 and finally 6th Grade / Primary 6 in 2006.
One important reason is that not all primary school students have
benefited from the same standard textbook packages. One size does not fit
all, and this is true for Primary Mathematics (Third Edition). Some
teachers and students also felt that the standard textbook packages were
dull and boring.
New and better Singapore Math textbook packages
Thus, Singapore's education ministry decided to open up the textbook
market to the private sector, so as to encourage the introduction of new
and better textbook packages. Also, the timing was ripe as there were
plenty of highly qualified educators-cum-textbook-writers in Singapore.
The biggest plus is that the private sector will compete fiercely to
produce quality textbook packages, and from amongst the stiff competition,
the ones to survive will be the best.
SGBox.com is pleased to offer the following New Singapore Math textbook
packages that are based on the new 2001 Singapore Primary Math curriculum
and which have survived the stiff competition:
- New
Syllabus Primary Mathematics
- Mathematics
In Action
- My
Pals Are Here! Maths
- Discover Maths
As Singapore's education ministry continues to review the Singapore
Primary Math curriculum in the coming years, the New Singapore Math
textbook packages that have survived the stiff competition will be revised
according to the revised new Singapore Primary Math curriculum. It is
presumed that Primary Mathematics will not be revised accordingly since it
is not even revised according to the new 2001 Singapore Primary Math
curriculum.
The following Singapore Math textbook package is based on the 1999
Reduced-Content Singapore Primary Math curriculum.
- Primary Mathematics
See also:
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