Students more disciplined with homework with Singapore Math

MANILA, Philippines -  If you ask students what subject scares them the most, chances are it would be mathematics. Word problems, computations, and a long series of numbers send kids panicking so much that they would rather call in sick than take a math quiz.

 However, there is a new breed of children who face mathematics valiantly, eager to answer exercises in class and taking their exams with gusto. These kids are learning math the Singaporean way.

 Although her son Matt is just five years old, mom Grace Molino says she has no problems helping him work on his math assignments. Whether at Xavier School where Matt is now a nursery student, or at Galileo Enrichment Learning Program where he is taking enrichment subjects in mathematics and English, Grace says everything has been easy for her. In fact, he is now learning math usually taught to Grade 1 students.

 Businessman Richard Uy of the popular BonChon Chicken recounts the same experience with his daughter Jacey, who is a Grade 3 student at St. Jude Catholic School. Since he signed her up for enrichment classes in Singapore Math at Galileo, he says there is no longer any need to force her to do her homework. She now has the initiative to do her assignments.

 Singapore Math is the newest way of teaching mathematics in schools. Now being implemented in a number of schools in the country, it uses physical models to teach concepts in a play setting. From the concrete, lessons move to the pictorial and abstract with focus on word problems.

During the 1980s, Singapore lagged behind other countries in the world in terms of math proficiency, prompting the Singapore Ministry of Education to set new goals for mathematics focusing on problem solving and model drawing. This was implemented in 1982 alongside the printing of new math textbooks to reduce a dependence on imported ones. In 1984, students in Singapore ranked 16th out of 26 nations in the Second International Science Study. By 1995, the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study ranked Singapore’s students first among the different participating nations. Results of the 2007 TIMSS showed Singapore to be at the top.

Suzette Villanueva, center director at Galileo Katipunan, says teaching math the Singapore way not only helps students learn math but also English. Since Singapore math moves from the concrete to the abstract, with solving word problems an integral part of the lesson, it requires from the children reading comprehension, which helps them learn English. Whereas in traditional math, kids work immediately on numbers, Singapore math does it in stages, like using pictorial flash cards to solve math equations.

 “That’s why children do not find Singapore math boring,” says Villanueva. “They now find it exciting.”

Galileo Enrichment Learning Program Inc. is holding the first Singapore Math Festival on Oct. 8 at the SGV Hall, AIM Conference Center Manila, Makati City.

The first ever conference in the country to discuss Singapore Math, it will feature multi-awarded educator and math professor Queena Lee-Chua and speakers from schools in the country who have adopted the Singaporean way of teaching mathematics in their classes.

Registration fee is at P2,500. A special promo is being offered for those who will register as a group. Every group of five registrants will get a free extra slot to the conference.

 The conference is open to school owners, school principals and faculty members, schoolteachers, education students, and parents. All participants will receive a certificate of attendance, workshop materials, and lunch .

 For inquiries about the Singapore Math Festival, visit www.galileoenrichment.com or call 845-1234.

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