Saturday, November 1, 2008
Singapore Math
The Singapore Math program is a higher level, spiraled program which incorporates problem solving skills in a way which can apply to everyday learning. This program, however, is not completely aligned to the WI standards and in fact, teaches beyond the standards in many cases. Because of this, our school district is getting rid of this program. I'd appreciate any feedback from others on elementary math programs they have found to be either positive or negative for their students.
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6 comments:
From what I have heard and experienced, I agree with your statements about the Singapore Math program. Our district is currently looking at different math programs as well. I am only familiar with Everyday Math as well as Connected Mathematics. I have experienced both positive and negative aspects of both programs.
I have used a traditional mathmatics series for most of my teaching years, and it did not completely align to state standards either. Our teachers had to suplement to meet curriculum needs and to liven up the otherwise boring curriculum. The good thing about the series is that it gave plenty of practice with new skills which the newer programs seem to neglect. I am also investigating new math programs for my school and apperantly "practice" has become a dirty word. I don't know if they assume once a child does something once they know how to do it for the rest of their lives or what. I understand that the curriculum spirals, but I wouldn't bet on a football team that practiced once a week or even each skill only once a day. Teachers I've talked to, that the company representitives recomend to us, love the programs and rave that students are much more engaged. They also say that the games are very good. Other teachers have told me that Everyday Mathmatics is very difficult for students how have poor language skills. They also say that parents struggle greatly with the program and hate it. I like the idea of increased use of manipulatives. I haven't heard how well the students using these new progams do in the upper-grade do in math. Do they come more or less prepared?
b.s., you made some very valid points and asked questions that I would also like to have answered. I'm hearing that these new "fuzzy" programs are, as you said, almost completely eliminating follow-through of the basics (such as memorization of the x facts) and relying much on a "free-for-all" on figuring out math problems. Also, retention seems to be an ever-present issue. How do we boost that? Is there an elementary math program out there which tackles this issue?
In addition, the school district in which I teach has a high percentage of bilingual students. A heavily language-based program would not be the best for many of our students. It would be beneficial for us to find a program which pays attention to basic foundational skills and retention of skills with a huge emphasis on real-life story problems...in addition to being aligned to the standards. Is there a program like that out there??
I agree with b.s.'s comments about the parent feedback of new math programs like Everyday Math. From my experience parents struggle with the "spiraling" concept as skills are constantly introduced and then may disappear for awhile without sufficient practice. The textbooks that I have seen don't always have the best support either.
I understand your concerns, jl, about the language based program being used in a district with a growing bilingual population. I not only worry about these students, but those children who struggle with reading in general and may be several grade levels behind, even if English is their first language. I would like to see these students feel successful in other subjects, especially math, and not feel bogged down with deciphering the language. I think a program that has a balance would be ideal.
I so agree, mp. Where is that program??
I'm not a teacher, but I contend that math is important and it's nice to see online discourse about mathematics education.
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