9 Truths About Singapore Math - What is Singapore Math?
"Singapore Math" (or "Singapore Maths") is a term made up of two English words, "Singapore" and "Math" (or "Maths"). Singapore is a small island country in Southeast Asia while Math is a study subject. Therefore, as the term implies, Singapore Math is the generic name of the math curricula, teaching methods and school books that originate from, and are developed in, Singapore.
- Where does Singapore Math originate from?
Singapore Math originates from Singapore.
- Who created Singapore Math?
The Singapore Math curricula are created by the education ministry in Singapore for use in Singapore schools, while the Singapore Math textbooks and other materials are created by Singapore publishers in Singapore.
- In which country are the Singapore Math materials that are used in Singapore schools published?
The Singapore Math materials that are used in Singapore schools are published in Singapore.
- Why is Singapore Math thus called?
As Singapore's Math curricula, textbooks and other materials gained worldwide recognition, people started referring to them as simply Singapore Math.
- Why are there so many different Singapore Math materials for every level?
This is because there are many Singapore publishers in Singapore publishing Singapore Math materials.
- Why do the Singapore Math materials keep changing over the years?
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.
- When was the Singapore Math curriculum for primary schools last revised?
The Singapore Math curriculum for primary schools was last revised in 2013.
- Which country's syllabi do the Singapore Math textbooks and other materials that are used in Singapore follow?
Singapore Math textbooks and other materials that are used in Singapore follow Singapore's syllabi. |
