NCTM 2010 Can Singapore Math Enhance Student Achievement in the U.S. ??

can singapore
mathematics
enhance student learning in the U.S.?
Opening Presentation
Selected Features of Singapore Mathematics
Yeap Ban Har, Ph.D.
National Institute of Education
Nanyang Technological University
Slides can be downloaded from www.mathz4kidz.com

Overview ofEducation System
Grades 1 – 6 (compulsory education)
Primary School Leaving Examination Grade 6
Grade 7 – 10
General Certificate of Education Ordinary Level Grade 10
Grade 11 – 12 or Polytechnic
General Certificate of Education Advanced Level Grade 12 or Diploma
There are variations for advanced and struggling students.

emphasis on
problem solving
Reference: Singapore Ministry of Education 2006

Wellington Primary School
rationale
The rationale of teaching mathematics is that it is “a good vehicle for the development and improvement of a person’s intellectual competence”.

in the
national
test
emphasis on
problem solving

A
B
F
E
D
C
Reference: Singapore Examinations & Assessment Board 2004-2008

Mrs Hoon made some cookies to sell. 3/4 of them were chocolate cookies and the rest were almond cookies. After selling 210 almond cookies and 5/6 of the chocolate cookies, she had 1/5 of the cookies left.
How many cookies did Mrs Hoon sell?
almond cookies
5/8
3/8
210
chocolate cookies
1/5
3/8 – 1/5 = 7/40
 210
1/40  30
32/40  960
She sold 960 cookies.

school programs
include
enrichment
for
all students
Wellington Primary School

A lion weighs 135 kg. A cow weigh 87 kg more than the lion. An elephant weighs 139 more than the cow. How heavy is the elephant?
(Primary 2)
TelokKurau Primary School

complex problem solving
is expected of every student
In twice-a-year tests designed by the schools, problems such as this one are given to challenge students. However, there is an expectation that every student makes significant effort to acquire the ability to solve such problems.
Raffles Girls’ Primary School

parental
expectations
Seminar for Parents on Problem Solving

system-wide intervention
Fuchun Primary School
Northlight School

presence of
‘safety nets’

Princess Elizabeth Primary School
learning support program
at entry point

foundation mathematics
at halfway point

teacher-initiated intervention
DaQiao Primary School

teacher-initiated
intervention
TelokKurau Primary School

Catholic High School (Primary)
emphasis on
concrete to
pictorial to abstract
representations

mathz4kidz Learning Center, Malaysia
especially on
the model method

teacher education

teacher training
pre-service

Princess Elizabeth Primary School, Singapore
professional development
in-service
HougangPrimary School, Singapore

teacher learning
from textbooks

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NCTM 2010 Can Singapore Math Enhance Student Achievement in the U.S. ??

by Jimmy Keng on May 03, 2010

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NCTM 2010 Can Singapore Math Enhance Student Achievement in the U.S. ?? — Presentation Transcript