In the Pre-Prep, our teachers and teaching assistants have been trained to use a 'Singapore or mastery' approach and are using the Singapore Maths, Maths No Problem Scheme within our Year 1 and 2 in Pre-Prep. The children will then continue to follow Singapore Maths until they leave in Year 6.
Singapore Maths Overview
Singapore has become a “laboratory of maths teaching” by incorporating established international research into a highly effective teaching approach.
A New Way Of Thinking And Teaching
Whole Class Moves Through Content At The Same Pace
When teaching maths for mastery, the whole class moves through topics at broadly the same pace. Each topic is studied in depth and the teacher does not move to the next stage until all children demonstrate that they have a secure understanding of mathematical concepts.
Time To Think Deeply About The Maths
Children are given time to think deeply about the maths and really understand concepts at a relational level rather than as a set of rules or procedures. This slower pace leads to greater progress because it ensures that students are secure in their understanding and teachers don’t need to revisit topics once they’ve been covered in depth.
Builds Self-Confidence In Learners
In a traditional prep and primary school maths lesson, children are put in different groups and given different content based on their anticipated ability. This means that from an early age children are classed as those who can and can’t “do maths”. Teaching maths for mastery is different because it offers all pupils access to the full maths curriculum. This inclusive approach, and its emphasis on promoting multiple methods of solving a problem, builds self-confidence and resilience in pupils.
Differentiates Through Depth Rather Than Acceleration
Though the whole class goes through the same content at the same pace, there is still plenty of opportunity for differentiation. Unlike the old model, where advanced learners are accelerated through new content, those pupils who grasp concepts quickly are challenged with rich and sophisticated problems within the topic. Those children who are not sufficiently fluent are provided additional support to consolidate their understanding before moving on.
Since using the Singapore Maths approach we have seen an increased level of ability in all the children. We find that we are working to a much higher level that we would have been otherwise and most importantly, children are thoroughly enjoying their lessons.