Singapore Math Curriculum
Math in Focus—Authentic Singapore Math
What is Math in Focus?
Math in Focus is the U.S. edition of Singapore's top-ranking math program. It follows the same scope, sequence, and pedagogy as its Singapore edition, My Pals are Here!, but has been enhanced with the addition of a robust Teacher's Edition, differentiation components, and interactive technology.
What makes Math in Focus the authentic Singapore Math?
Math in Focus is published by Marshall Cavendish Education Singapore, the premier publisher of textbooks in Singapore, and distributed in the United States by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Both programs follow the pedagogical framework developed by the Singapore Ministry of Education: emphasizing concept mastery, a concrete-to-pictorial-to-abstract approach, metacognitive reasoning, and the use of model drawing to solve and justify problems.
How does Math in Focus differ from other programs that include Singapore "strategies"?
Singapore math is more than isolated strategies and model-drawing techniques. It is a carefully sequenced curriculum that has led Singapore students to international success.
What will Math in Focus bring to your classroom?
Math in Focus brings the authentic Singapore math pedagogy to U.S.classrooms, and is aligned with Common Core State Standards. Math in Focus is the mastery program for world-class math instruction and results in the U.S.
Behind the Math in Focus instructional success story
A focused and coherent syllabus. Math in Focus introduces fewer topics in each grade, but teaches them to greater depth. Topics are taught to mastery, so they build from year to year across grade levels without repetition.
A visual and balanced approach. Math in Focus is highly visual, following a concrete-to-pictorial-to-abstract progression.
A focus on number and operations. Math in Focus is sequenced in a way that ensures students develop and maintain strong number sense. Students spend the majority of the first half of the year studying number. This provides the foundation necessary to move on to more complex and abstract thinking.
An emphasis on problem solving using model-drawing. Math in Focus utilizes model-drawing strategies that help students solve both routine and nonroutine problems.
A recognition of the importance of attitudes and metacognition. The Singapore Ministry of Education's mathematics framework emphasizes the importance of attitude and the ability to self-monitor while problem solving to achieve success in math. Math in Focus provides students with the tools they need to break down complex concepts and problems, which in turn develops positive attitudes.
