Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Learning Environments Singapore Math

Anyone familiar with Singapore Math? Do they have an accelerated program or does everyone in a class have to go at the same pace? Not sure if this is just how our school is implementing or if we have options within the program to move more quickly through the lessons.

What program is the school using? Is it Primary Mathematics? If so, there are workbooks that help teachers with differentiation within a mixed ability classroom. For example, high ability students could be given the Challenging Word Problems and/or Intensive Practice workbooks to do in addition to or instead of (I don't recommend this unless the child already knows what's being taught) the regular workbook assignments.

In a homeschool setting, PM is *very* easy to accelerate, BTW.

If your school is using something other than PM, the none of what I've written here applies, though if it's something like Math in Focus, there is a workbook containing challenging problems available.

We have parent-teacher conferences next week so I will ask. I'm assuming it is Primary Mathmatics, but not totally sure. The teacher is acting like there is no way to provide differentiation. Not sure how I'll feel she has access to a workbook to help with differentiation and she is just not using it.

We have used the Standards (homeschooling) and Math in Focus (public online school). Singapore math in general seems quite a bit more advanced compared to typical math programs in public schools. I really like the Singapore approach to math, but it worked much better for us in a homeschool setting because there are areas that advanced kids might need to skip, or go through really quickly, and public school isn't really set up to accommodate that. I think there is a generalized opinion (in schools) that it is rigorous math, so it should be good enough for advanced kids.

There is a computer component called Math Buddies, that goes along with Singapore Math, I would see if the school is offering that because that might be a way to differentiate for at least part of the class time. I also agree with Kai that the workbooks Challenging Word Problem offers more advanced problems, but in our experience they will still be too easy if your child is working much above grade level.

It is easy to imagine the school not purchasing the IP or CWP. Whatever the potential if the teacher is set on going through it chapter by chapter with all the workbook problems it will be the same as any other programme. From what I have heard it is also reasonably common for teachers to just use the Singapore workbooks while teaching exactly the same way as they did with the previous text (and the five before that - it must be annoying having to fit in with whatever fad comes along). I'm not meaning Singapore is necessarily a fad but when you've taught a while...

Perhaps at your upcoming parent / teacher conference you could request your child be given the placement test for Singapore Math? http://www.singaporemath.com/Placement_s/12.htm

Also, similar to Kai's recommendation, familiarize yourself with what Singapore Math has on offer in terms of "Supplementary Math", maybe your teacher is not aware of what is possible? http://www.singaporemath.com/Supplementary_Math_s/43.htm