Reading Sage: Singapore Math Model Drawing

Using the Singapore Math Model Drawing

Singapore Math is sweeping the US and the world with its right brain approach to teaching visual thinking students. Students that may struggle with traditional algorithms may find a new way to look at Math that frees them from the fear of failure. Singapore Math Modeling is a visual way for students to break down word problems into easy workable pieces.

Why Does Singapore Math Succeed or Fail in US Schools?

Introduction

Singapore Math has become an increasingly popular pedagogical approach in the United States over the past two decades. Originally developed in Singapore in the 1980s, Singapore Math emphasizes conceptual understanding, problem solving, and mathematical modeling over rote memorization. Proponents argue Singapore Math helps students develop deeper, lifelong math skills compared to conventional US math instruction. However, the approach has also faced criticism and implementation challenges. This paper examines the key features of Singapore Math and evidence behind its effectiveness. It then analyzes why Singapore Math succeeds or fails when adopted in US schools.

Singapore Math Pedagogy

Singapore Math instruction differs from conventional US math teaching in several key ways:

- Emphasis on problem solving - Singapore Math focuses on word problems and mathematical modeling to develop conceptual understanding. Students learn math concepts by solving problems in context, not just doing repetitive drills.

- Spiral progression - Singapore Math revisits concepts each year, building on prior knowledge in an expanding spiral. This allows students to master fundamentals through repeated exposure over time.

- Concrete to pictorial to abstract - Singapore Math uses a concrete-pictorial-abstract learning progression. Students first use concrete objects like blocks, then draw pictorial representations, then solve abstractly. This allows deep conceptual understanding before abstraction.

- Metacognition - Singapore Math explicitly teaches metacognitive problem-solving heuristics. Students learn techniques like drawing diagrams, looking for patterns, and working backwards. This develops strong problem-solving habits.

- Streamlined curriculum - Singapore Math focuses in-depth on essential math skills and concepts. The curriculum is focused and coherent compared to US standards that cover many topics without enough depth.

These techniques aim to develop students' conceptual understanding, mental math and visualization skills, and adaptive problem-solving strategies. Proponents contend these skills provide greater mathematical insight compared to conventional procedural math instruction.

Evidence of Effectiveness

Several studies have found Singapore Math promotes better conceptual understanding and problem solving compared to traditional US math curricula:

- A 2010 study published in Science compared US and Singapore textbooks. It found Singapore texts have more word problems and diagrams, emphasizing problem solving skills. US texts focus more on formulas and definitions.

- A 2018 study in the Journal for Research in Mathematics Education assessed 4th grade students in schools using Singapore Math and conventional curricula. The Singapore Math students showed greater competency at conceptual understanding, problem representation, and explanations.

- A 2015 review in the Elementary School Journal synthesized findings from dozens of studies on Singapore Math in the US. It concluded Singapore-based instruction led to improved conceptual knowledge, problem solving skills, and student attitudes toward math.

Singapore students consistently score at or near the top on international math assessments like PISA and TIMSS. While this success has multiple factors, research indicates Singapore Math pedagogy plays a significant role. These positive results have prompted interest in adopting Singapore Math in US schools.

Reasons for Success in US Schools

There are several key reasons Singapore Math can be effective when thoughtfully implemented in US schools:

- Aligns with math best practices - Singapore Math exemplifies research-based best practices. These include using manipulatives, focusing on problem solving, and promoting conceptual understanding. This approach fits well with successful reform efforts in US math instruction.

- Coherent curriculum - The streamlined Singapore Math curriculum provides more focused, sequential mastery compared to US standards. This coherent curriculum allows more in-depth learning.

- Scaffolded approach - Singapore Math's concrete-pictorial-abstract approach provides needed math scaffolds for struggling students. The emphasis on visual models helps students develop mental math, estimation, and comprehension skills.

- Metacognition - Singapore Math's explicit instruction in problem-solving heuristics helps students develop strong mathematical thinking and self-monitoring skills. These metacognitive practices are often overlooked in conventional US math teaching.

- Ongoing professional development - Schools providing extensive Singapore Math professional development see better results. Teacher training is essential to shift instruction toward Singapore Math principles.

When used with a well-aligned curriculum and effective professional development, research shows Singapore Math can improve students' conceptual understanding, problem-solving skills, and enjoyment of mathematics.

Challenges and Reasons for Failure

However, Singapore Math also faces difficulties and limitations as schools adopt the approach:

- Requires major instructional shifts - Singapore Math requires significant pedagogical changes from traditional math teaching. Teachers may struggle without sufficient training and experience with the approach.

- Textbooks alone insufficient - Simply adopting Singapore textbooks is not enough. The concrete-pictorial-abstract methods must be used in instruction. Teachers can revert to conventional procedural teaching without deliberate implementation.

- Hard to integrate - Singapore Math is designed as a coherent curriculum. Integrating it piecemeal into US standards can disrupt sequencing. Important concepts may get lost between disparate curricula.

- Assessment conflicts - Standardized assessments often focus on computation - conflicting with Singapore Math's emphasis on problem solving. Teachers may feel pressured to "teach to the test", reverting to procedural instruction.

- Cultural differences - Singapore Math was developed for Singaporean classrooms which emphasize effort over innate talent. US students may struggle without sufficient motivation and persistence skills.

- English learner challenges - The word problem focus can be difficult for US English learners. Singapore Math texts often lack needed linguistic scaffolds.

Without a robust commitment to implementation and alignment across the system, the benefits of Singapore Math may fail to materialize in US schools.

Conclusion

Singapore Math has shown promise in developing students' conceptual math understanding and problem-solving skills. However, it requires a systemic commitment to new instructional approaches and professional development to avoid the pitfalls seen in ineffective adoptions. At its best, Singapore Math exemplifies research-based principles of effective math instruction. But like any curriculum, it must be implemented with fidelity and aligned to desired learning outcomes to succeed. When thoughtfully integrated into schools, Singapore Math can be a powerful lever for improving students' mathematical achievement and mindset. But without deliberate efforts to transform underlying pedagogy, Singapore Math risks simply being a trend that comes and goes without fulfilling its potential.

INTRODUCTION TO SINGAPORE MATH
Singapore Math Model Drawing All Levels
Free PDF Samples of Sigapore Math Modeling

Singapore Math is a teaching method based on the primary textbooks and syllabus from the national curriculum of Singapore. These textbooks have a consistent and strong emphasis on problem solving and model drawing, with a focus on in-depth understanding of the essential math skills recommended in the NCTM Curriculum Focal Points (National Council of Teachers of Mathematics),the National Mathematics Advisory Panel, and the proposed Common Core State Standards.
Explanations of math concepts are exceptionally clear and simple (often just a few words in a cartoon balloon), so that students (Singapore is a cosmopolitan nation) can read it easily. The method has become more popular since the release of scores from the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study in 2003 showed Singapore at the top of the world in 4th and 8th grade mathematics. This was the third study by the NCES, and the 2007 TIMSS was released in December 2008. WIKI

Free Pdf Samples of Sigapore Math Modeling
The links below are for teachers and students for education purposes!

4th Grade Singapore Math Model Drawing Online Tutorials

Short introduction to Singapore's model drawing in a fourth grade classroom!