Register at www.si.mcinstitute.com.sg
This exciting institute features a line-up of Singapore and US experts on Singapore Math, led by Dr. Yeap Ban Har and Dr. Richard Bisk.
Industrial Training Report- AKTU Industrial Training Report
MCI Worchester State University Singapore Math Institute
1. We start at 8.15 a.m. each day and wrap up at 3.15 p.m. On each day, there is also an
optional Reflection Forum where you get the chance to meet and raise questions for
discussion with the interested educators including the plenary speakers. These sessions are
scheduled for 3.15 p.m. to 4.15 p.m. Begin each day with a Content-Meets-Pedagogy
Plenary Lecture by two Singapore Math experts – Dr. Richard Bisk, a mathematician by
training and Dr. Yeap Ban Har, a mathematics educator by training – who share the
common interest of making math learning meaningful and effective for students.
Plenary Sessions
8.00 a.m. to 9.30 a.m.
Content Strand Pedagogy Strand
L1 Counting & Place Value L2 CPA Approach & Learning
Dr. Richard Bisk Theories Behind Singapore Math
L3 Four Basic Operations Dr. Yeap Ban Har
Dr. Richard Bisk L4 Strategies for Struggling Learners
L5 Fractions Dr. Yeap Ban Har
Dr. Richard Bisk L6 Strategies for Advanced Learners
Dr. Yeap Ban Har
2. Classroom Sessions
9.45 a.m. to 11.15 a.m. 11.15 a.m. to 12.45 noon 1.45 p.m. to 3.15 p.m.
We have lined up exciting classroom sessions for you. The focus is on whole numbers and
fractions, two fundamental topics in elementary mathematics. This year’s institute includes a
few elective topics outside the domains of whole numbers and fractions for participants to
explore connections between numbers and other domains (geometry, measurements and
probability).
Whole Numbers
W7 Whole Numbers Addition & Subtraction *
Peggy Foo
We will learn about number bonds and its role in helping students develop number facts.
We will also learn different strategies to develop number facts and how addition and
subtraction algorithms are taught such that procedures are well-supported by concurrent
development of conceptual understanding. We will also learn alternate strategies to add
and subtract larger whole numbers. The emphasis in this session will be on conceptual
understanding and the development of number sense.
W8 Whole Numbers Multiplication & Division
Dr. Yeap Ban Har
We will learn use number bonds to help perform multiplication and division involving
larger whole numbers. Strategies to help struggling students will be discussed. In addition,
participants will examine word problems posed by students to study the various situation
related to multiplication and division. A comparison between Singapore Math and
Common Core State Standards will be done.
W9 Algorithm Development in Whole Numbers
Dr. Richard Bisk
Place value is a powerful tool that took the human race thousands of years to develop.
Go back to elementary school as a student and deepen your content knowledge about the
role of place value in the teaching and learning of algorithms.
W10 Mental Computations in Whole Numbers
Dr. Richard Bisk
Mental math emphasizes an understanding of place value and the distributive,
commutative and associative properties. Learn mental math strategies and their roles in
reinforcing these fundamental mathematical concepts.
W11 Lesson Video on Whole Numbers
Yeap Ban Har / Peggy Foo
In this session, participants will study a lesson video on first grade subtraction with
renaming which involve a problem-solving task.
3. Fractions
F15 Teaching Fundamental Concepts in Fractions *
Peggy Foo
Learn how to teach core fundamental concepts such as the concept of equal parts,
equivalent fractions and mixed numbers. See how a problem-solving approach can be
used to teach basic concepts in an engaging way.
F16 Teaching Fractions Using Visuals *
Peggy Foo
Visuals are central to learning mathematics. We will see how visuals can be used to
introduce skills such as writing equivalent fractions, converting mixed numbers to improper
fractions, and the basic operations.
F17 Remediation in Fractions
Dr. Yeap Ban Har
Through his experience in working with remedial students in middle school, the speaker
share four main ideas that such students need to progress in learning fractions. The four
basic operations will be discussed. A comparison between Singapore Math and Common
Core State Standards will be done.
F18 Recognizing Connections in Mathematical Ideas: Fractions, Decimals
and Percents
Dr. Mary Fowler
We will explore the connection among fractions, decimals and percents as a way to
represent parts of a whole. This will be further developed as we review arithmetic for
each and highlight connections, For example, we will investigate adding decimals by lining
up the decimal and adding fractions by finding common denominators.
Bar Models
M12 Bar Models for Elementary Grades *
Peggy Foo
This session introduces the use of bar models to solve word problems. We will be solving
word problems while learning the basic models used at elementary level. We will see the
use of bar diagrams to model part-whole, change and comparison situations and also
learn a few advanced techniques such as the cutting and shifting of bars.
M13 Lesson Video on Bar Models
Dr. Yeap Ban Har
In this session, participants will study a lesson video on third grade bar model lesson. There
is also opportunity to study students’ thinking through their written work based on the
lesson.
4. M14 Solving Word Problems with Model Drawing with a ‘Units Sentence’:
Transition to Algebraic Solutions
Dr. Michael Winders
We introduce the concept of a ‘units sentence’ in the context of model drawing, and we
illustrate how this method of solution informs a correct algebraic solution.
M19 Challenging Problem Solving
Dr. Richard Bisk
We will be solving a challenging set of problems involving fractions, ratio and percent
using bar modeling. Connections to algebra will be emphasized.
Elective Topics
E20 Why Does it Work? (Part I): Introduction to Proof through Unknown
Angle Problems
Dr. Michael Winders
We illustrate how to obtain angle facts via inductive and deductive reasoning. We then
illustrate how to use these facts to solve unknown angle problems, and then transition to
unknown angle proofs.
E21 Why Does it Work? (Part II): Where do Area Formulas Come From?
Dr. Michael Winders
We give grade appropriate explanations of the area formulas for rectangles, triangles,
parallelograms, trapezoids, and circles.
E22 Enrichment Tasks in Area of Plane Figures
Dr. Yeap Ban Har
This session engages participants in a collection of enrichment tasks on the topic of area of
plane figures. Learn the enrichment model to challenge able students. Review key features
of Singapore Math – problem solving, thinking, conceptual learning, visualization and
looking for patterns. See how Mathematical Practices in common Core State Standards
are put into practice.
E23 Data Analysis
Dr. Mary Fowler
An overview of data analysis will be presented. The importance of the development of
classification and sorting skills in the early grades will be emphasized. Examples of data
collection, organization, representation and analysis will be presented at each grade
level. Participants will have the opportunity to work with data using progressive grade
level skills which will allow them to understand their student’s previous experiences and
future challenges with data analysis.
5. E24 Probability
Dr. Mary Fowler
The importance of the concept of experiment and outcome will be emphasized. Methods
of finding all possible outcomes will be explored. Participants will break up into groups to
consider an experiment, describe its outcomes, calculate theoretical probabilities and run
repeated trials of the experiment. The computational and experimental results with be
compared. The session will conclude with a discussion of the opportunity that the study of
probability yields to both reinforce fraction calculation and the importance of fractions in
solving everyday problems.
* These courses were offered in 2011 MCI-SWU Singapore Math Institute.
6. Kevin Mahoney, Math Curriculum Coordinator, Tenacre Country Day School
Doctoral Candidate, Northeastern University
Title: Singapore Math - An Implementation Case Study
Description of Presentation: What happened when Singapore's math program was
adopted by an American Pre-K-6 school? Based on five years of research, the presenter's
story will give you a unique view into the process and outcomes for teachers and
students. Leave with an educator's eye-view of this powerful program in action.
Objectives of Presentation: Participants will understand the outcomes in a case of
Singapore Math implementation. Based on interviews, assessment data and video clips of
teacher perceptions, the case answers the following questions;
• how and why was Singapore Math chosen by the school?
• how was the program implemented in the school?
• what happened to math teaching as a result of the program?
• what happened to student learning as a result of the program?
• community reactions
Grade Band/Audience: Elementary and Middle School
Speaking Experience: Singapore Math: An introduction - Plymouth State College
Mathematics Speaker Series - Plymouth State College, Plymouth, NH, March 2012
Model Drawing and other instructional strategies from Singapore - 3-day graduate course
at The Educational Collaborative, Dedham, MA, June 2011 Singapore Math
implementation strategies - Lead Speaker, NCTM National Conference, Indianapolis, IN,
April 2011
I would also be happy to present on my current academic research on the effects of
Sinapore's Model Method on the problem-solving performance of fourth graders. This
research is not complete, but I could present results of my literature review with an
interested audience.
Kevin