This document summarizes the keynote presentation "Connecting Singapore Math to Common Core State Standards" by Yeap Ban Har. The presentation focused on the alignment between Singapore mathematics and the Common Core State Standards in terms of big ideas and basic philosophy, while noting some differences in details. It provided examples from Singapore primary schools that illustrated key Singapore math concepts like conceptual understanding, problem solving thinking, part-whole situations, change situations, and comparison situations. The examples demonstrated how Singapore lessons begin with concrete examples and move towards more abstract representations.

1. Keynote
Connecting Singapore Math
to Common Core State Standards
Yeap Ban Har
Slides are available at
www.banhar.blogspot.com

2. key focus
of singapore
mathematics
alignment in the big ideas and basic philosophy
common
some differences in the details
corestate
standards

4. Best mathematical instruction does not involve giving students procedures.
This is one of the key in preparing high-achieving performers.
“…. make life difficult for him.”
“…. keep his cool and still do the job.”
“…. throw him a lot of curve balls.”
Bob Bowman
Michal Phelps’ coach

5. Seoul National University of Education, Korea East Coast Primary School, Singapore

6. key focus
of singapore
mathematics

7. thinking
problem
solving
conceptual
understanding

8. conceptual
understanding

9. The lesson began with this task – which number is
bigger? Bigger by how much? This is to help
students link subtraction with comparison situation.
Students were asked why it was
necessary to see 52 as 40 + 10
+ 2 in subtracting 25 later in the
lesson.
Anchor Green Primary School,
Singapore
conceptual
understanding

10. Jonas making number
bonds for 32.
Anchor Green Primary School,
Singapore
The lesson began with this task – which number is
bigger? Bigger by how much? This is to help
students link subtraction with comparison situation.

12. Concrete  Pictorial  Abstract
Princess Elizabeth Primary School, Singapore

13. CHIJ Our Lady of Good Counsel
Singapore
East Coast Primary School Singapore

15. part-whole situations
change situations

16. part-whole situations
change situations

17. comparison situations

18. Which number is
bigger? Bigger by
how much?
comparison situations
How do you know?
“We subtract.”
Anchor Green Primary School,
Singapore

22. Examples used in Opening Keynote Lecture.
My Pals Are Here! Maths 3A

30. Anchor Green Primary School
Singapore

41. My Pals Are Here! Maths (Third Edition)

46. 7 +  = 12
Princess Elizabeth Primary School, Singapore