Singapore Math is the actual curriculum used in Singapore from
1982 to 2001 (English is the language of instruction in Singapore).
The Primary Mathematics U.S. Edition (for grades 1-6) series of elementary math textbooks and workbooks uses the Concrete> Pictorial>Abstract approach. The students are provided with the necessary learning experiences beginning with the concrete and pictorial stages, followed by the abstract stage to enable them to learn mathematics meaningfully. This approach encourages active thinking process, communication of mathematical ideas and problem solving. This helps develop the foundation students will need for more advanced mathematics.
New Elementary Mathematics Syllabus D is meant for grades 7-10. Emphasis is placed on the development of better understanding of mathematical concepts and their applications, as well as on proficiency in problem solving, mathematical reasoning and higher order thinking. The books include investigative work, communication skills in mathematics and appropriate computation and estimation skills, mental calculation, and problem-solving heuristics.
This series is recommended for those who want a challenging math series with a proven international track record that will carry them part way into advanced math. This series integrates pre-algebra, algebra, and geometry and includes some advanced math topics. Many questions require students to apply knowledge to new situations rather than following a procedure. Includes challenging questions for enrichment and discussion as well as math investigations. Teacher involvement is generally required.
For grades 1-6 there are 2 textbooks, 2 workbooks, and 2 teacher's guides (or home instructor's guides) per grade; typical cost would be $62 per grade. 7/8 grade ~$75 for all. 10th grade $45.
For Grade 1, you can get two textbooks and two workbooks, about $9 each.
We had used Singapore at home in 3rd and 4th grade, and loved it. When I homeschooled 2nd-4th grade we tried many math curricula that only frustrated my gifted daughter. The drill and repetition was overkill for her and made her dislike math. Finally Singapore worked very well for her and she earned A+ in math while in school in 5th and 6th grade.
Jane Review left August 23, 2009
Time: 2 years
We have used the Singapore math to supplement public school. I selected Singapore because the public school is loosely based on Singapore (their words not mine). My children are "wired for math" and considered "bright". Even so, my son usually needs a little more repetiton than the Singapore provides but not enough to justify the additional workbook. I think for kids that struggle with math Abeka or Saxon would be a better fit. More repetition, pages are less busy etc.
Why you liked/didn't like the book:
For my children the book is fine, I would like more of an overall review provided in each section. Singapore addresses a topic, has the practice and then moves on.
Any other helpful hints:
I think for kids that struggle with math Abeka or Saxon would be a better fit. More repetition, pages are less busy etc. If your child normally understands a concept with less than 10 repetitions then this is a decent curiculum.
Carla Brown Review left June 25, 2009
Time: 2 years
Your situation:
Homeschooling since pre-K. With Singapore Math we skipped K and started with 1A in "K grade" and are completing 2B in "1st grade." She's starting 3rd grade level math as she finishes 1st. This has been painless, and she's just an ordinary kid.
Why you liked/didn't like the book:
It works. My daughter thrives on it. It teaches her to work hard and to enjoy learning math. She is confident that she can solve any problem by reverting to basic algorithms she has mastered, so math isn't frightening.
One poster said that the longer you don't use it, the farther behind your student will be relative to what the course numbers or school grades imply. How true.
Any other helpful hints:
I've discussed SM with many other thoughtful homeschoolers and I've written an article on it, part of which was published in California Homeschooler. I think I understand it pretty well as a homeschooling curriculum.
The Textbooks and Workbooks are terse. They require hands-on teaching. But they don't require a lot of manipulatives (we used aquarium marbles, coins, a meter stick, and the number cards in the Guide). SM contains no "classroom management" material, such as crafts or games. It is very effective at getting to the heart of number sense and mathematical learning (at least in the elementary versions). There's not much "spiral" but the lessons subtly build on each other, so go fast if you want, but don't skip around within or among lessons.
You'll want to get the Home Instructor's Guides for each level. They have many handy hints, answers, and Mental Math exercises--which is as much drill as SM needs, and it ain't much.
If a parent is unfamiliar or uncomfortable with teaching elementary math, most certainly get Elementary Mathematics For Teachers. It's a fantastic textbook for math teachers and is designed to prepare you for teaching SM effectively, which is non-trivial.
The new California Standards editions resolve any concerns about units, applied mathematics, or money.
Highly recommended.
Craig Review left May 1, 2009
Time: 1 year
We switched our homeschooled children from A Beka to Singapore Math this year, entering the Singapore curriculum at several grade levels. We found the transition was easiest for the younger children.
I like the way the Singapore curriculum begins with concrete concepts and then moves to the more abstract. This curriculum truly teaches children to think "mathematically." I am impressed with the progress my children have made. One of my daughters used to cry whenever she encountered a simple story problem in A Beka. Now she is solving complex story problems on her own. Singapore Math encourages students to explore multiple problem solving strategies rather than to merely memorize formulas.
The longer a student has been in an American math curricula, especially one that spiral reviews and follows the 1989 Math Standards, the more likely it will be that the student will have to go back a grade level or two when entering the Singapore curriculum. Parents should take advantage of the placement tests on the Singapore Math website before purchasing curriculum.
The teacher's guides/answer keys from Sonlight are indispensable, especially at jr. high level and beyond.
Diane Review left March 26, 2009
Grade levels used: 4A
Time: 5 weeks
This year I pulled my daughter out of public school for various reasons; too many kids, too much anxiety, teachers skimming over material. She is in 5th grade.
Why you liked/didn't like the book:
I love this curriculum. My daughter and I have finished the 4A in almost a month. Now she has had 4th grade math at a public school but she was whisked through the principles and she had no idea what she was doing.
We started in the 4A and she has done very well. It has extra exercises in the appendix for kids who need to practice more. She enjoys it and we are starting Math 4B next week.
Any other helpful hints:
Have many math manipulatives available; coins, counting blocks, playing cards, we've used M & M's. If she understands the material we don't do the textbook pages, I just have her do the workbook pages. I have also made up my own word problems as a supplement but they were not hard.
Margie Review left September 25, 2008
Grade levels used: 1-6 (A/B)
Time: 1 year
Your situation:
I live in Singapore and homeschool my American children. Singapore students supplement their textbook with a math drills at Kumon and by purchasing extra workbooks. On the average, Singapore children outperform American students in math by 2 academic school years.
Why you liked/didn't like the book:
The Singapore math curriculum is fabulous, a great pace for many, and excellent vertical instruction. It does need a supplement of math fact drills and may require additional practice (also available through Singapore math). Home teachers may need to look outside the Home Instructor Guide for a few topic areas as the guide is very compact and does not always give lengthy examples.
Any other helpful hints:
Take a test to ensure your student is starting at the appropriate level of Singapore math and spend an additional 5-15 minutes a day on math fact drills.
HomeschoolMama Review left August 24, 2008
Grade levels used:
Time: 1.5 years
My son is now seven years old and he is getting ready to do 4th grade math!
My son loves doing his math and now my five year old is starting to do problems out of his 1A book and loves it! This curriculum has advanced my children in math by two grade levels!
I advise this curriculum to every home school mother I meet!
Laura Review left March 23, 2008
Grade levels used: Singapore Math Primary 1B
Time: about a year (some preK and all K)
Your situation:
Homeschooling mom with kindergartener
My husband (who is a nuclear engineer) and I (a lawyer, but no math expert) just love what we've seen so far of Singapore math. The approach to teaching math is vastly different from the way I was taught math in public school--and Singapore math is far superior, in my opinion. As other reviewers have noted, the emphasis in Singapore is on deep conceptual knowledge of mathematical concepts, rather than learning by rote. My son, who is advanced in most areas, just loved the earlybird program and breezed through it. We have worked steadily through the primary 1A curriculum this year (kindergarten) and now in March we are starting Primary 1B. The word problem work is phenomenal--I make up my own word problems for him to do in his head in the car (in the same style as the Singapore book), and I give him extra drills in addition and subtraction. Overall, I think giving children the conceptual building blocks for math that Singapore Math does is excellent. I got by on (what I realized after the fact) mainly rote memorization of math concepts. Once I got to calculus, I lacked the skills necessary to "get it"--the mental leap was too great, and all my little "tricks" I'd developed over time didn't help. I hope that through this new approach my kids will get a deep and firm grounding in math--something the American system is surely not providing as of yet (just check out US students' math scores compared to the rest of the world!). Can't say enough wonderful things about this program!
Any other helpful hints:
Be prepared to stop and review or drill on your own until you are sure your child thoroughly understands the concepts. The curriculum introduces concepts thoroughly but assumes (I think) that the parent will take the time to work deeply and slow down on areas that the child does not understand right away.
Erika Meadors
Review left March 21, 2008
Grade levels used: Primary 6A
Time: 3 months
Your situation:
We were looking for a good pre-algebra program.
Why you liked/didn't like the book:
It's not working for us; I think you have to be with Singapore math all the way through to pick up on the way they describe story problems. We had two algebra experts look at it with us and they both agreed it's too complicated and unclear in asking the student to find answers. Not enough explanation in the parent guide.
Start long before level 6!
Marla Janssen Review left March 11, 2008
Grade levels used: 1B to 5B Primary Math
Time: 2 years
Your situation:
I've used Primary Math for homeschooling, and as an after-school supplement to our public school's grades 1-4 math program. One child prefers the black-and-white workbooks with direct instruction from me when necessary. The other uses the colorful textbooks along with the workbooks and learns very independently.
Why you liked/didn't like the book:
My children were bored with the repetition and drill at school, and they were not enjoying the subject at all. Singapore Primary Mathematics sparked their interest in math, boosted their confidence, and has given them practice with mathematical reasoning that school doesn't offer.
For example, a typical 3rd-grade worksheet at school would have numerous one-step equations involving addition or subtraction with money.
By way of contrast, this is from the Singapore 3A workbook:
Mary bought a pen and a book. She gave the cashier $10 and received change of $2.05. The book cost $7.35. How much did the pen cost?
The multiple-step story problems, emphasis on mental math, and use of unique bar-chart type diagrams to model and solve algebraic problems in early primary grades, are my favorite aspects of Singapore Math.
Any other helpful hints:
The "Intensive Practice" supplementary books have the drill that some posters here were looking for.
The "Challenging Word Problems" supplementary books are a fabulous way to challenge an already-proficient student without advancing to a higher grade level.
Jaye
Time: 3 years
Your situation:
Started with Saxon and quickly realized that my son did not like the pace or repetition. Singapore gets to the point, reinforces the idea with just enough practice to keep a young boy with a short attention span focused. Daily lessons are 15-20 minutes in length depending on how much play time you incorporate.
Why you liked/didn't like the book:
I have the teacher's manual(s), but the problems are not solved or stepped out in the manual. This is not a problem in the lower levels, but 5B on it would be helpful as the problems become more complex.
Any other helpful hints:
If you have a child with a short attention span, this is the program for you.
Deborah Kinney
Miquon AND Singapore together. Time: 2005-2007
Your situation:
We are two math-loving parents homeschooling a mathematical daughter. We wanted curriculum which would be flexible, filled with ideas, and FUN! We have been using Singapore 1A,1B, and 2A, along with Miquon Orange, Red, Blue, and Green.
Why you liked/didn't like the book:
These two curricula balance each other well.
Singapore is structured and teaches a certain thinking process to the point of mastery. The scope of content is somewhat narrow, and incorporates many word problems.
Miquon is flexible and encourages independent discovery and mathematical exploration. The scope of content is broad, but does not include word problems.
Both curricula are fun, engaging, and well-laid-out.
Any other helpful hints:
Singapore: most children will need additional review or drill beyond what the series itself provides. Several "additional practice" books are available that match the curriculum. For very mathematical children, though, this curriculum has just enough - they love not having to do twenty identical problems before the next new idea!
Miquon: The lab notes are necessary, especially for the first year books. I feel this curriculum best suits math-loving parents who want to share their children's joy of discovery. This curriculum moves faster than others. Most children will need additional review or drill.
We are quite happy using Miquon and Singapore together -- they are pleasantly complementary, and provide necessary review, refreshing variety, and a fun, engaging, and confidence-building math learning experience.
Elizabeth B.
Grade levels used: Singapore 1A
Time: 3 months
Your situation:
We switched to Singapore after using Abeka for K. We liked the different approach.
Why you liked/didn't like the book:
I really liked it in the beginning, and so did my 6 year old. Over time, we have both changed our opinions. In K she LOVED math (Abeka)...I only switched because I wasn't crazy about the teachers manual and how each lesson was explained as well as wanted her the understand "why" when she gets to higher levels of math.
I think it's frustrating for her when she has 2 or three pages of basically the same types of problems. There is also no review (except a few pages in each book, that really isn't a good review of the concepts). Time, Money, weight, length, are not in the program consistently. Most topics have a few lessons and then are not mentioned again.
I was really excited about Sinapore in the beginning, but have found it just doesn't work for my daughter... who has always loved math and done exceptionally well. Even with Singapore she could do the problems, but was bored with the repetition of each lesson and lack of variety.
Any other helpful hints:
Check out someone else's copy first and see if you think it would work well for your child. Also, consider using it with another program for repetition and for consistency.
Dana
Grade levels used: Singapore Pre-K through 6A
Time: Started this summer (2006)
Your situation:
Used to use a manipulative and repetitive based math program. Daughter hated the repetition, and was getting frustrated constantly. Understanding of math was poor. On a recommendation of another homeschooling parent, switched to Singapore Math.
Started (in mid-June)with 1B to relearn what was missing from other curriculum. Book almost completed now (end of July), her understanding of Math has improved immeasurably, and we no longer have repetition driven frustration. Last night, she showed enthusiasm towards Math for the first time.
Guy
Grade levels used: Singapore Pre-K through 6A
Time: Five years
Your situation:
Two older boys that are totally different in learning abilities and a K daughter.
I like the books and really, really like all the practical word problems. I am strong in math, yet I have found some of the problems in 6A (especially) to be not explained well, yet the child is still expected to understand how to work out the problem. I like a lot of the way that the mental math is explained, but I have found that I need to add drill work. My 5th grade son is very slow at multiplication because I did not realize early on that I should be adding drill work to this curriculum. He "gets" math easily, but struggled with some of the fraction and decimal information. I am going to work on this with him over the summer using the Key To Fractions and the Key To Decimals programs. Hopefully this will help him before we move on into 6B.
Any other helpful hints:
Add in drill work for multiplication facts!!!
Barb
Grade levels used: Singapore Primary US Edition
Time: 7 months
My daughter has learned so much from Singapore. We loved the Earlybird Math and it was a great fit for her. Primary has been less exciting for her but has taught her to think through problems. I am always tweaking whatever I teach her but with Singapore, I have to tweak too much.
I like the mental math; my daughter can switch back and forth from addition to subtraction now. On the down side, if my daughter needs work on a concept and we back up to work on it, she forgets other concepts by the time we get back to them. Also Singapore does not drill but will go on as if basic facts are already nailed down. I have been supplimenting by grabbing things online and doing flashcards. My daughter loves the flashcards. I'm wondering if a spiral approach would be better for her.
Earlybird rotates concepts more frequently than does Singapore Primary. Anyone going from EB with a child who flew through it, may be frustrated with having to slow down in Primary 1a. It may be good to break between EB and Primary especially with a younger child. The focus on mental math also means that other skills are not taught or breazed over.
Violin69
Grade levels used: (1-6?)
Time: over the last 6 years
I am teaching my youngest daughter with this curriculum. I used Saxon for my older children.
I wholeheartedly endorse the curriculum. I am amazed that my daughter learned so well without all the drill. I am amazed at the problems she can work in her head, when I have to use algebra as a tool to solve the problems. I left Saxon because I did not like the upper level method of teaching algebra by drill, rather than as way to develop abstract reasoning, but I had no idea that abstract reasoning could be taught so well in younger children!
My daughter did need a little outside drill with math facts and some extra work with fractions (We used Keys to Fractions.) From 4th grade on, we used, in addition, the Challenging Word Problems workbook that Singapore offers.
Debbie Vaughan
Grade levels used: second grade
Edition: 1B
Time: 3 months
So far this is working really well with my son who is very good at math and "get's" it. I have supplemented with the Saxon math 2 which has been mostly review for him (and he's tired of the repetitions); however he needed to get his math addition facts down that's why I supplemented with Saxon. The singapore helps him learn to think, instead of learning things in a repetitious way.
Cassyn
Grade levels used: K to 3
Time: K - 3
I like Singapore because it challenges the child to think. It worked well for my first child who likes just the facts. My younger son gets confused by the way Singapore explains new concepts. Singapore likes to show the student shortscuts or ways to do the math mentally. For example when adding 37 + 15, they have the student think of the problem as 37 + 10 + 5. This seems like an extra step to him. He does the problem this way in his head, but it confuses him when they write it this way. He does best if we can use objects to demonstrate the work. For both of my children, we skip many of the problems as long as they are understanding the work. As with most math curriculum, each level builds on a topic. For example, multiplication is introduced in Level 1.
Gretchen Houchin
Grade levels used: PreK to 2b
Time: 4 years
I have been using the Singapore version of the Singapore math curriculum for the past 4 years. My children have learned some common names for children in Singapore and what their currency looks like through the problems in the books. The progression of learning new skills is very comprehensive. There isn't much repetition, so we used math drill sheets to supplement. The workbooks are colorful and consumable.
Peggy
Books: 2B, 3A, 3B, 4A
Grade levels used: 2 and 4
Time: 9 months
I am very impressed with Singapore Math. I have one average student and one gifted student. The program has worked very well. It is brilliantly layered meaning that for my kids it has never seemed hard or overwhelming since we started at slightly below their current level. (I figured out placement level by administering a placement test.) However, they have learned many new concepts! My kids use the text with me and we do most of the example sets on white boards. They complete the workbooks as independent practice. I also incorporate Intensive Practice everyday. We complete 1 or 2 pages of that each day as well. I supplement with basic facts practice everyday, or if I notice an area that needs reinforcement that shows up as an activity. For example, they need a bit more review with reducing fractions so we are doing extra with that. I generate worksheets from free places on the internet or I make up my own! Another strength of this program is the word problems...boy are my two good at that and the program is constantly exposing kids to challenging word problems. Another factor that I like about this program is that it is inexpensive. I figured that if it wasn't a good fit for us, we could easily switch and not be out much money.
Karen
Book: Primary Math
Grade levels used: 3rd and 5th
Time: 1 year
The math is at a very high level but we will not be continuing with it as it is very, very dry. I also feel that while it is exceptional on the computation side it is very weak on the practical math side. I think it could be a good curriculum supplemented with a programme that will take care of the more practical math.
Judy
Book: New Elementary Mathematics 2
Grade levels used: 8-9
Time: one year
I have been using Singapore New Elementary Math 2 for my son who is a seventh grader. My son loves it. I must say that it is not alligned with what generally U.S school uses, but it covers topic our children need to know. Only negative I would say is that there is no solution manual for book 3 and 4. As some of the Challenger math question tend to be harder I somtimes really need all the help I can get as a home school mom.
In the short time I have used Singapore Math, I am very happy with it. My kids are able to work mostly on their own. The pages are bright and colorful, the textbooks often give multiple ways of thinking about a problem. It tends to be more advanced than North American math. (eg. we used the 1B unit for the second half of grade 2)
Only downside I have encountered is that they use Singapore money - there is a US edition but no Canadian edition. Still works well for adding practice though.
Dawn Denham
Grade levels used: 1, 2
Time: 1 year
We had tried the new Singapore Math Curriculum at www.sgbox.com/singaporemath.html which are wonderful products. The kids love them!
Carol
Grade levels used: 1
Edition: 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B
Time: 1 year
Singapore Math is an exceptionally good math curriculum for gifted children. I do understand why an average child might miss out on 'skill drill' while using Singapore math. However, when you have a gifted child, who will get frustrated when he has to show over and over again that he 'got it', Singapore is by far the best curriculum I have worked with.
My son started in pre-school with the 1a and 1b workbooks. He zoomed through them. The pictures, the many mental challenges, made him like math right from the start.
In my opinion it is more important to first understand how to solve a problem, and later on drill some facts (times tables ), than to start monotonous skill drills and repetitions without understanding what you are doing.
February 2010 newsletter
