Singapore Math is a popular curriculum focusing on the mastery of math concepts through exploration, communication, and problem-solving. Developed by Singapore’s Ministry of Education and adopted by schools around the world after its introduction in the late 1980s, Singapore Math has become known for its successes in providing an engaging and holistic approach to math education. This article will look at the reasons why Singapore Math has become so successful and what unique elements it brings to the classroom.
Breaking Down Mathematical Concepts
One of the primary reasons that Singapore Math has been so successful is the way it breaks down mathematical concepts in order to make them more understandable to students. This approach is known as ‘the Concrete-Pictorial-Abstract (CPA) Approach’ and involves students having the opportunity to solve problems using physical objects, pictures, and numbers (abstract thinking).
By allowing students to explore maths through visual and physical representations, Singapore Math allows them to build a deeper understanding of the concepts in an engaging and motivating way. Furthermore, Singapore Math also puts an emphasis on the mastery of different mathematical components. This means that students are frequently tested on each component individually, allowing them to become even more knowledgeable and confident in their understanding.
By focusing on mastering each component of the maths curriculum, students are less likely to be overwhelmed by complex problems and instead are more capable of problem-solving.
Building Problem-Solving Skills
Another unique aspect of Singapore Math is the emphasis it places on building problem-solving skills. This involves providing students with the opportunity to use a range of resources including physical objects, mathematical language, and graphical representation in order to solve problems. This approach helps to prepare students for more complex problems that may come up later.
Additionally, when given the opportunity to use resources to explore and play with maths problems, students are more likely to stay engaged and motivated throughout their learning journey. Furthermore, Singapore Math promotes problem-solving strategies such as discussing and working through problems with peers.
This allows students to build not only their own understanding but to also learn more about the problem and even put forward ideas on how to solve it. This approach is particularly important for the younger students as it fosters the development of their independence, creativity and resilience.
Singapore Math Beyond the Classroom
Finally, Singapore Math is also successful due to the fact that it has been embraced by parents and can be used to supplement in-class teaching. Parents have been given the opportunity to learn about the curriculum on internet platforms and have access to textbooks as well as other resources to help their children with their maths. This means that children can receive further support with their learning and parents are more informed about the maths curriculum.
Additionally, Singapore Math is also embraced by businesses; it has been used to support the development of corporate learning programmes due to its success in helping to develop problem-solving and analytical thinking skills. This means that students are better prepared for their future career and can benefit from the skills they learnt through Singapore Math.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Singapore Math has become a successful curriculum due to its emphasis on the mastery of mathematics concepts, its approach to problem-solving and analytical thinking, and its integration outside the classroom. These elements have allowed the curriculum to become increasingly popular and seen as one of the leading maths curriculums around the world.