STRENGTHS
One of the best things about Singapore Math is the attitude toward the subject. For all the fact that the books are simple and unadorned, they nevertheless exhibit a refreshing attitude that it is interesting and fun to solve these problems. In the New Elementary Math 9th grade math book (much like other Singapore Math), there is a section at the end of each chapter intended especially for the enjoyment of the brightest students. It contains the most challenging problems of all.
I’m convinced that Singapore authors hardly think of math as work at all, nor do they intend students to think of it that way, but as more of a sport. But the word problems are not whimsical constructions. They are quite often the type of problem one might construct oneself from everyday experiences, if one is in the habit of viewing the world that way. This approach teaches a certain mathematical alertness and certainly it helps students to recognize how math can be applied to real life.
Like all Singapore Math, the New Elementary Math 9th grade math program is very logical in the order concepts are presented. There is a carefully planned progression. Each concept is taught once and only once and there is almost no explicit review, but thanks to the logical progression the student finds that he must use that concept frequently as a foundation for more complicated concepts. This ensures students always have an interesting challenge to learn and are not bored by repetitive daily reviews.
Singapore Math sets out to teach higher order thinking. Word problems that require students to think creatively are a hallmark of the program. Students apply learned concepts to novel situations and thus demonstrate real mathematical understanding.
WEAKNESSES
New Elementary Math 3, the Singapore 9th grade math curriculum is slightly accelerated, but does not teach concepts in the same order as other math programs. For example, geometry is integrated into the program. Also, due to the different approach to math in Singapore, there is less teacher support than in most US programs.
RECOMMENDATIONS
A student switching into the Singapore Math program from another 8th or 9th grade math curriculum should take a placement test, since he might need to drop back a level due to Singapore covering some concepts earlier than other programs. A parent teaching Singapore Math for the first time can gain needed familiarity with the approach by reading articles and discussions from other homeschoolers and by carefully pre-reading teacher guides available from Singapore. Despite the lack of teacher support, Singapore Math is very popular among homeschoolers, so other homeschool parents can provide valuable tips on successfully implementing this excellent 9th grade math program.
© 2012, Learningthings.com. Copyright Learningthings.com. This content may be freely reproduced in full or in part in any online website as long as you include a link to http://learningthings.com and give full attribution to Learningthings.com as the source. For permission to reproduce this content in other media formats please contact us.
