[Sparky64]

Has anyone had experience with Singapore Math as a supplement to your math curriculum?

[cvt]

One of my first grade team partners and I do Singapore math as a supplement. We do mostly the word problems and how to read them/set them up/solve them because that's what our students have the most trouble with. We would like to use it as our main curriculum, but our district won't allow us to use anything but the adopted program for our main instruction.

What I like about SM is that it requires mastery before students move on to the next skill, unlike our current math adoption that basically skims the surface. How will our students learn a skill when it is presented only for one day, and the next day a new skill is taught? For example, our students were expected to know their doubles facts in one day, and the next day it was doubles plus one. Or the penny and nickel the first day, dime and quarter the next.

[Edison]

I would like to use Singapore Math in my class as a supplement. Where can I purchase it?

[cvt]

You can buy SM on line. There are teacher manuals and student books. I also saw some videos (not from the SM publisher) where teachers in different grade levels showed how they used the program.

Keep in mind that the teacher manuals are not like the guides that you get from the big publishers with all the how-to's. SM guides are barebone and expect teachers to have a solid understanding of how SM math should be taught. Unless you have had some training, it maybe difficult to understand.

Since SM math is based on the way math is taught in Singapore--where every teacher has a deep understanding of teaching the subject--it may be somewhat off-putting for American teachers.

I had the opportunity to take a one-day training, and was very impressed with it. Replicating it was a bit more complex, however, and the teacher's manual does not even come close to explaining the details.

[teachergranma]

Our school is in the process of adopting this program. We just had a SM trainer come in to help us. It was really a good day for a PD day. I have been teaching number bonds and modeled drawing. Chrystal Springs Publications publishes some items for Singapore Math.We are adopting a new math series, our K-1 has started putting it in place right now. Our 2nd and maybe 3rd next year. I really like what I have used. I'd recommend it to anyone interested.

I just wanted to let you know that if you're looking for training or material options for Singapore Math, call 800-247-6532 or email me at tpostlethwaitsde.com. We can talk to you about using the strategies and materials to supplement your existing curriculum or make recommendations for full or rolling adoptions. In fact, I'm at the National Middle School Association conference in Indianapolis this week with Char Forsten, our guru of Singapore Math training. She's doing a session tomorrow on one of the most impactful strategies, Model Drawing. Great way to go from concrete to pictoral to abstract and prepare kiddos as young as 1st grade for algebraic thinking.

[Edison]

Thanks for all of your responses. I will look into it. We are looking at different math programs for next year in my school district. Singapore Math was listed as a possible option.