"Singapore Math"
The term, "Singapore Math", came into use in the U.S.A. around the year 2000 when US academics, homeschoolers, schools and the media started referring to our books as Singapore Math. The term Singapore Math is not used in Singapore, where they just use the term maths (what other math would they be using!) In 2001, we incorporated our company under the name SingaporeMath.com Inc.
Primary Mathematics Series
The term "Singapore Math", as used in the U.S.A. and Canada generally refers to the Primary Mathematics series. The Primary Mathematics Series was first published in 1982 and was the only series used in Singapore primary schools up till 2001. Primary Mathematics was written by members of a project team put together by the Ministry of Education, Singapore.
Changes in Singapore math curriculum from 1981 through 2001
1981
The first Primary Mathematics curriculum was developed in 1981 by CDIS (Curriculum Development Institute of Singapore), now called CPDD (Curriculum Planning & Development Institute of Singapore). The Primary Mathematics Series was first published in 1982 and was the only series used in Singapore primary schools up till 2001. The 1981 curriculum was focused on content (e.g. computation), and problem solving did not receive a prominent role.
1992
The 1981 curriculum was revised in 1992 to make it a problem solving curriculum. The 1992 curriculum requires pupils to be able to do some problem solving, i.e., the use of (simple) math in novel / complex situations. The Primary Mathematics (Second Edition) was based on the 1992 curriculum.
The Primary Mathematics (Second Edition) was published for Primary 1 in 1991, for Primary 2 in 1992, Primary 3 in 1992, Primary 4 in 1992, Primary 5 and 6 in 1995.
1994
Since 1992, there have been no significant changes to the curriculum. However, contents were further reduced in 1994.
The Primary Mathematics (Third Edition) for Primary 1 and 2 were based on the 1994 reduced syllabus.
1999 Reduced-Content curriculum
In 1999, Singapore's Ministry of Education decided to reduce the content in the curriculum in order to provide room for teachers to implement key initiatives (namely the infusing of thinking skills and integrating the use of Information Technology in lessons and the delivery of the National Education messages). Curriculum content were reduced by up to 30% for most subjects.
The content removed or reduced from the subject syllabuses includes the following:
- Concepts or skills which are not fundamental to the essence of the subject studied or which rely on plain recall;
- Content which overlaps with that taught at other levels in the same subject or with what is taught in other subjects;
- Content which focuses on technical details rather than conceptual understanding and is no longer relevant in the Singapore context or in real world practice; and
- Content which is too difficult or abstract for the intended level.
Please see press release "Content Reduction in the Curriculum" http://www.moe.gov.sg/press/1998/980716.htm.
The Primary Mathematics (Third Edition) was published for Primary 3 in 1999, Primary 4 in 2000, Primary 5 in 1999 and Primary 6 in 2000. The Third Edition was a further refinement to the Second Edition so that the aims of the 1992 syllabus were better met.
One of the major chapters removed from Primary Mathematics (Second Edition) was "Division of Fractions". This same chapter was added back in our Primary Mathematics (US Edition).
All the new series (first published in 2001) are based on the 1999 reduced-content syllabus.
2001 Singapore Primary Math curriculum
The second stage of the 1999 content reduction for curriculum was implemented from the year 2001. This stage involves change in teaching methodologies, learning approaches and assessment modes. Three initiatives were also introduced - National Education (to develop citizenship skills and values in the Singapore context), Information Technology (to bring hardware and software technology into schools. However, for the new primary math series, the IT content is found only in the teacher's CD ROMs. It is not mentioned in the textbooks or workbooks, as the IT materials are not reviewed by MOE), and Critical and Creative Thinking (to infuse thinking skills).
Starting from 2001, textbooks for primary level mathematics have been privatized with the hope that the changes will be faster and there will be more choices. The contents in the new series that were first published in 2001 remained the same as the 1999 reduced syllabus.
Please see press release http://www.moe.gov.sg/speeches/1999/sp081099.htm.
2005 onward....
Will there be another revision of the Singapore mathematics syllabus in the near future? Yes. Textbooks first published in 2001 have been revised in 2007. Changes in 2007 (for texts now used in Singapore) include use of calculators earlier than before (in level 5), reduction in mental math, and removal of operations on compound units in measurement. The contents of Primary Mathematics Series remain the same.
Summary of curriculum changes from 1981-2001:
| 1981/1982 |
1992 |
1994-1999 |
2001 |
2003 |
| first Primary Mathematics curriculum was developed. |
the 1981 curriculum was revised to make it a problem solving curriculum. This is basically the same curriculum used since 1992. |
the curriculum was reduced in order to provide room for teachers to implement key initiatives (namely the infusing of thinking skills and integrating the use of Information Technology in lessons and the delivery of the National Education messages). |
based on the 1999 reduced syllabus, the following three initiatives were added:
- National Education (to develop citizenship
skills and values in the Singapore context). Sample.
- Information Technology (to bring hardware and software technology into schools. However, the IT content is found only in the teacher's CD ROMs. It is not mentioned in the textbooks/workbooks as the IT materials are not reviewed by MOE.)
- Critical and Creative Thinking (to infuse thinking skills). Sample
Publishers hired their own writers to write the new series. The teaching of concepts and methods are not exactly the same as Primary Mathematics.
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SingaporeMath.com received approval from MOE, Singapore to adapt the third edition with the following major changes:
- Add back a whole chapter that was removed in the 1999 reduced syllabus - "Division of Fractions".
- Add chapters on customary measurements for weight, length and volume. (The existing 3rd edition metric systems were not removed).
- Use American currencies instead of Singapore currencies.
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| Series title:
Primary Mathematics
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Series title:
Primary Mathematics 2nd edition
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Series title:
Primary Mathematics 3rd edition |
Series title:
Various
|
Series title:
Primary Mathematics U.S. Edition |
On the Primary Mathematics series:
Singapore students who scored top in TIMSS (Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study) 1995, 1999 and 2003 were all using the Primary Mathematics series. We can, therefore, say that the Primary Mathematics series is a time tested and documented math success story. We are therefore pleased to have chosen this series to adapt to Primary Mathematics US Edition. With three TIMSS results, and the support of top math academics in the US, we figure we cannot be very wrong with our choice. More information about the adaptation of Primary Mathematics 3rd edition into Primary Mathematics U.S. edition.
On new series used in Singapore:
As of 2007, we do not yet have any international tests/results on any of the new series. We do not want to speculate nor present our unauthorized view about these new series. Some of the new series have come and gone. Those still in use are being revised gradually from 2007. As has happened in the U.S. in the last two decades, changes to existing math curricula need not necessarily bring about the best results.
