Singapore maths.
Singapore Maths is a step-by-step approach to learning maths. It emphasises the use of real objects, blocks or images when first introducing a new concept to learners. Once they have built confidence in this first stage, they begin to draw their own pictures and images to represent these objects. Only later do they then gradually start to add numbers to these pictures and images.
For the 2017-18 academic year, the maths team at BDC decided to embrace this delivery method and explore it possible benefits with our students.
More can be read about Singapore Maths methods in this article:
Maths team
Methods
A plan developed in July & August 2017 outlined the project aims:
Aims
What is the project?
Coaching and support in the use of Singapore Maths methods was provided by Mohi Uddin, a maths teacher, consultant, and key contributor of the North-East London Maths Hub.
Learners, lecturers and learning support practitioners from the college’s SEN Department participated in a Singapore Maths workshop in April, with the goal to share these methods with the wider college community.
Feedback
Here are some reflections on Singapore maths teaching methods from Sameer Huda, Maths lecturer at BDC, recorded in June 2018.
Quotes from Sameer
Have you noticed any positives in using these methods?
“These methods help students remember how to approach solving problems. From a retention point of view, visualisation is very important.”
Does it work within a 16-18 context?
“The students we take are mostly retake students, GCSE particularly. Quite often the reason they haven’t achieved is because there are gaps in their learning, and many of these are fundamental gaps. This method does help in filling these gaps.”
Does it lend itself to contextualised scenarios?
“It gives empowerment in helping to visualise maths in different contexts, not just on its own as a set of numbers. It helps to see things in a holistic, deeper way.
Have you used it in L3 Core Maths?
The general audience for Core Maths. It’s been a useful refreshing tool at the start of some classes when recapping key concepts with learners before we delve deeper into more challenging problems.