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Singapore Math/Primary Mathematics

Publisher: SingaporeMath.com, Inc. Review last updated: 2009 This is one of my 100 Top Picks!

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See the complete review in 100 Top Picks for Homeschool Curriculum.

Originally published for the schools in Singapore, Primary Mathematics has taken the homeschool market by storm, and with good reason. This program teaches children to think mathematically rather than just having them memorize the mechanics of problem solving. And it's very reasonably priced.

Primary Mathematics is more advanced than just about every other math program used in the U.S. The scope and sequence does not align with state or national standards. For example, it leaves graphs, statistics, and probability for upper levels rather than teaching these concepts in elementary grades. Instead it focuses on laying a solid foundation in basic concepts and processes using a three-step process, taking children from concrete, to pictorial, then abstract approaches to learning. The Primary Mathematics series has levels 1-6 which cover material for approximately grades 1-7.

Each level has two coursebooks (A and B) that serve as textbooks. There is a student workbook as well as a Home Instructor's Guide for each coursebook. This is not as overwhelming as it sounds since these books range in size from only 80 to 128 pages each. In addition, coursebooks and workbooks are about 10 by 7 ½ inches, with uncrowded, large print. The amount of written work required of children is very reasonable.

As with most math programs, teacher guides are not essential in the first few grades, but are much more helpful as the math becomes more challenging. There are both Teacher Guides and Home Instructor's Guides available, but the latter are designed specifically for homeschoolers and are what I recommend.

The program requires one-on-one teaching throughout most lessons for the younger grades. The coursework books present pictorial lessons to introduce new concepts that parents will need to work through with their children. Home Instructor's Guides help with lesson presentation.

Correlated workbook exercises are indicated at the end of each coursebook presentation. The full-color coursebooks are not consumable and are not intended to be written in, although they are inexpensive enough that you might choose to have your children sometimes write in them. Children should be able to work through workbook exercises independently once they can read directions without problems.

SingaporeMath.com, Inc. carries a number of supplemental books for extra practice and targeted work on particular concepts, all keyed to the Primary Math series. Check their website for more information.

Placement tests are available at their website as well as at Sonlight's website. If your child is not starting at the beginning of the program, it is vital that you use the placement test to determine the appropriate level. It is not unusual for a child to place one or two level below their official grade level.

Primary Mathematics 1A and 1B
Assumes number recognition and begins with counting. It quickly moves into addition and subtraction. Single-digit multiplication and division are introduced in 1B.
Other topics taught are ordinal numbers, shapes, measurement, weight, time telling, money, and graphs.

Primary Mathematics 2A and 2B
Teaches addition and subtraction with renaming, multiplication and division, measurement, money, introduction of fractions, time telling, graphs, and very introductory geometric shapes and area.

Primary Mathematics 3A and 3B
More advanced work on the four arithmetic operations, including long division; fractions (equivalent fractions plus adding and subtracting), measurement, graphs, time, and geometry. It also teaches 2-step word problems and mental calculation.

Primary Mathematics 4A and 4B
At fourth level students learn all four functions with both fractions and decimals. Geometry coverage is also very advanced as students compute the degrees in angles and complex area and perimeter questions. Students also work with advanced whole number concepts (e.g. factors, multiples, rounding off), money, other geometric concepts, graphs, and averages. Primary Mathematics introduces two-digit multipliers at this level, but doesn't really work on two-digit multipliers and divisors until the fifth level. While students complete quite a few computation problems, the number of word problems seems to gradually increase at this level.

Primary Mathematics 5A and 5B
Advanced work with decimals plus multiplication and division with up to four-digit multipliers and divisors. They learn to work with percentages, continue with advanced work on fractions, geometry (e.g., finding the area of a triangle), and graphs. Time/rate/distance word problems, as well as other types of word problems are given a great deal of attention. At the end of the course, students are doing beginning algebra. Some high school level geometry is taught (e.g., a workbook problem asks students to find the ratio of the area of one triangle to another, with only dimensions for the triangles given).

Primary Mathematics 6A and 6B
Students work with fractions, but a typical problem requires students to perform three different operations on four different fractions within a single problem, much like an advanced Algebra 1 type problem, although without variables. Common geometry problems are set up in proof-style format, although you need not require students to present their solutions in that format.

Among other concepts covered at this level are graphs, algebraic expressions, geometry (e.g., volume of solids and radius, diameter and circumference of circles), advanced fractions, ratio, percentage, tessellations, and many word problems including challenging time/rate/distance problems.

I originally reviewed the Second Edition of Primary Mathematics. A Third Edition was released that still retained the British spelling and conventions. There are now also U.S. Editions and Standards Editions, with the latter being the newest. The U.S. Editions were adapted directly from the Third Editions, substituting U.S. measurements, spellings and conventions. The Standards Editions align with the math standards for California, changing the order of presentation for some topics and adding units on topics such as probability, graphing, data analysis, and negative numbers. You can choose from either the U.S. or Standards Editions depending upon your concern for the standards.

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