SAS Math Program

[pandaman]

Sorry for my bad English. I am a chinese parent. My son is currently studying in the SAS. The school teaches everyday math (Chicago Math). I have seen several problems of the everyday math. There is a better math teaching method called singapore math. Can we ask school to use the singapore math instead of the everyday math from K-12? I want to know other SAS parents' opinions about your kids math study in the SAS. Thanks a lot.

[huh??]

send them to a local school. I teach maths at an international school. I get Kumon Kids coming in doing fancy algorithms a la Singaporean but if I ask them to use another method or explain what they are actually doing they are clueless. For example 37 x 5 they do an algorithm and yes. But they have no understanding of what the algorithm is. The algorithm is, in effect, 'splitting' the multiplication into 30 x 5 and 7 times 5 and adding them together. These students are blank and don't understand. Whereas the students who have learned for 'understanding' rather than getting a right answer can 'get it'. This sort of formulaic approach is seen in Singaporeans who can't adapt to solve problems and is a reason so much foreign talent is needed here.

[another teacher]

I'm also an international school teacher here.  To address the OP - Everyday Math is quite controversial, even in the US - but good luck trying to get SAS to switch to Singapore Maths!

PP - I hear your argument all the time about Kumon.  Firstly, it's a Japanese method, not Singaporean.  Kumon relies on rote learning, something sadly lacking in the Western model of teaching maths.  Have you seen the international rankings for maths? - all the top countries are Asian - South Korea, Singapore etc.  I don't think Kumon is the answer to all maths problems but it does address an area of weakness in the Western model.  Sadly your attitude is typical of many (not all) international teachers here - 'We know best in all areas of education'.  I went through school without learning three methods of multiplication and did just fine with my one method.  Did I understand at the time the details of what the algorithm was?  No.  I just learnt to do it and understood how to apply it to problems. The UK curriculum now teaches three methods of multiplication and a ridiculous chunking method for division.  Half the kids are completely confused - no wonder the UK falls so far down the international rankings.  I suspect it is the same for the US.

[pandaman]

My son does quite well in the math as we teach him every night in the Chinese way. We won't transfer him to local school as he is an American.

2011-2012 is the SAS math curriculum reviewing year, we can send letter to the school and let them know what we think. That's the reason why I ask opinions of other sas parents here. We want our kids get solid math education in the school.

From a Chinese viewpoint, the us students' calculating abilities is low though the students are taught good theories.

[Huh????]

To another teacher. Nowhere do I say learning algorithms are bad - just with understanding will make better problem solvers. I actually recommend my low students do Kumon or other programmes to get those wrote learning basics but combined with other strategies the Singaporean system does not teach. You have got quite agitated and have already generalized about who I am. I was simply pointing out that Singaporean maths might get high scores but that does not necessarily transfer into the real world as successful. Nowhere did I say that western mash was great either. However, my maths teaching style is brilliant thanks!

[another teacher]

To another teacher. Nowhere do I say learning algorithms are bad - just with understanding will make better problem solvers. I actually recommend my low students do Kumon or other programmes to get those wrote learning basics but combined with other strategies the Singaporean system does not teach. You have got quite agitated and have already generalized about who I am. I was simply pointing out that Singaporean maths might get high scores but that does not necessarily transfer into the real world as successful. Nowhere did I say that western mash was great either. However, my maths teaching style is brilliant thanks!

Haven't even bothered to point out your punctuation errors.  Any teacher that thinks they are 'brilliant' in any area of their teaching is in a dangerous place.  Maybe leave it to others to judge whether you are brilliant or not. I've observed hundreds of teachers, many of whom thought they were brilliant - most weren't, they were just good enough. We all have room to improve and should keep our minds open about alternative methods.

[huh??????]

You need a sense of humour PP.

[scarbowl]

Singapore Math works best in populations that are stable.  Implementing it in a school with significant turnover is not a recipe for success.

I understand that SAS has already had this debate and decided to remain with the curriculum you mentioned and NOT Singapore Math.  Also, that their standardized test scores are quite good with the current program.

Before you go off on a campaign, ask them for the test results.  You might be surprised.

OR....if you are Chinese and want Singapore Math do the logical thing and send them to a Singapore school.  You won't be alone!

[scorn]

Our kids did two years of Singapore math in a 'good' local school before returning home and attending a top private school. They were a year ahead.

As for the teacher who calls him/herself 'Huh,' you have a poor understanding of the Singapore math method if you think it doesn't involve problem solving. It is heavily skewed to problem solving. No pat formulas or algorithms will get you through a Singapore math test.

And there are many socio-political reasons for Singaporeans' lack of creativity. Their approach to math certainly isn't one of them.

[P.O.D.]

I think you teachers are part of the problem, not the solution.

Let me ask you, could you physically design a slide rule?

[somersa]

I think you teachers are part of the problem, not the solution.

Let me ask you, could you physically design a slide rule?

  What would be the point of that?  It's like judging a librarian by whether they knew how to make paper!

[hhhhhha]

Slide rule - got one in 1972.........stopped using 1976......

replaced by........ the calculator!!!!!!!

[To huh???]

I always find it amusing to read the opinions of someone who has had no experience with the local math curriculum. FYI the multiplication algorithm you mentioned is EXACTLY how my son was taught in the local school. I would also suggest that you pick up some challenging level math workbooks at the nearest popular bookstore and tell me exactly how one can solve the problems by mere rote learning.

[Well,]

Well, lets assume that Singapore mathematics is on the high level. The question is only: do you really need long hours of after school tuition ?
We moved here with the kids in Gr.6 and Gr.8. Previously at the American School our kids were studying 'Everyday Mathematic'. Here at one of the international school following MYP program they both are doing very well. Just out of interest I bought math books for the local school (Popular bookstore has a great variety of those at a reasonable prices). I was really surprised, that the level of exercises was quite matching their knowledge, with the little exemptions where the chapters were not covered yet.
This was a very interesting discovery for me, since  earlier I was not convinced that the way they have been thought was a right one. They had very rare any math homework assigned, no 'end of chapter tests' but little quiz only, and in the younger grades not any kind of competition in the class. Looks like it worked well.
At the end of the day, I think the kids from the international schools have the same chances to become good engineers, bankers, doctors ... just another way to get there.