Mathematics is an essential subject that plays a vital role in a student’s academic life. Therefore, it is essential to adopt an effective method of teaching that can help students develop problem-solving skills and mathematical thinking. Singapore Math and Common Core are two different styles of teaching math that have been widely discussed and adopted worldwide. In this article, we will compare and contrast these two styles of teaching math and evaluate their effectiveness.
What is the Singapore Math Method?
The Singapore Math Method is a framework developed around the idea that learning to problem-solve and develop mathematical thinking are key factors in being successful in math. It is based on five inter-related components: Concepts, Skills, Processes, Attitudes, and Metacognition. The belief is that anyone can be good at math, and that it can be learned in sequence as each concept is mastered.
The effectiveness of the Singapore Math Method lies in its focus on problem-solving and developing mathematical thinking. This approach is based on mastering concepts in sequence and building upon previous learning. The shorter idle period between school years in Singapore also contributes to its effectiveness by reducing the impact of summer learning loss. The results of the method have been demonstrated in the high scores of Singaporean students in math on international assessments such as PISA, TIMSS, and PIRLS.
What is Common Core?
Common Core is not a style of education but rather a set of standards that tells teachers what students need to be learning at each grade level. It uses a spiral model of learning, where a student learns more about a subject each time the topic is reviewed or encountered. It also relies heavily on creating muscle memory in the brain, particularly by memorizing the times tables up to 12.
Differences between Singapore Math and Common Core
One of the significant differences between Singapore Math and Common Core is the idle period for the school year in the countries in which they are used. In the United States, many students experience summer learning loss, where they lose some of the information they have learned during the previous school year due to a long vacation. Singapore, however, has a relatively short idle period between school years, which lessens the effect of this loss on its students. As a result, there is no need for review, and students can continue building on what was previously learned, making the Singapore Math Method very effective.
Additionally, Singapore Math emphasizes problem-solving and developing mathematical thinking, whereas Common Core focuses on providing clear and consistent learning goals for students.
The role of Common Core in improving education in the US
Common Core has been implemented in the US as a way to improve education and close the achievement gap between students. It builds upon the principles of Singapore Math and is designed to provide clear and consistent learning goals for students. By incorporating the spiral model of learning and emphasizing the importance of memorizing times tables, Common Core aims to increase student proficiency in math and prepare them for higher-level math concepts.
Conclusion
Overall, Singapore Math and Common Core are two different styles of teaching math that share some similarities. Singapore Math is considered very effective and is based on the belief that anyone can be good at math if they learn to problem-solve and develop mathematical thinking. Common Core, on the other hand, is a set of standards that aims to improve education in the US by building upon the principles of Singapore Math and providing clear and consistent learning goals for students. While there are differences between the two styles of teaching, both aim to increase student proficiency in math and prepare them for higher-level math concepts. Ultimately, the effectiveness of either method will depend on how well it is implemented and the individual needs of each student.