Singapore Math

 Being in the education field for so long, I really had no clue that Singapore Math was a thing outside of Singapore. Heck, we all just called in plain, old, simple Math in Singapore. Here, with the gaining popularity of learning Math they way we learnt in Singapore, it is actually hilarious when people ask me - wait so you know Singapore Math? Did you learn Singapore Math yourself growing up?

No... I just learnt Math growing up! Math is Math - Singapore Math is just another way of learning it. It is an effective way no doubt - just look at Math scores in Singapore if that is any indication.

It's been quite an experience, teaching Canadian kids about the model method, practically forcing them to draw the bars when we do word problems, because it doesn't come naturally to them and to be honest - feels kind of childish to them, for someone in Grade 7 or 8 to be drawing stuff in Math. Everything should be abstract by then?

Sure, but pictures never hurt, no matter how old you get. If drawing pictures help you solve Pythagoras Theorem questions better even when you're in Grade 10 - have at it! Who's stopping you? That's the best part about Math. The answer is just one (usually), but the methods are so many. Choose a method that suits you, and you'll find Math to be as simple and as logical as I do (or as most Singaporean kids do?)

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