Parent Bloggers Unlock Secrets to Singapore Math

I am one of those people whose eyes would glaze over if you give me a seemingly complicated Math word problem. Let me show you an example: "Martina, Mandy, and Ingrid had 154 doll hats. Mandy had twice as many hats as Martina; Ingrid had twice as much as Mandy. How many doll hats did Ingrid have?" 

Is your nose bleeding already? :) What if I tell you this kind of word problem does not bother me anymore? Here's one way of finding the solution to this Math problem:

Really complicated, huh? How about using another technique to solve for the answer:

The model drawing you see above is an example of solving problems using Singapore Math. I, with fellow parent bloggers, got to discover together that Math is not something to hate or be afraid of. Last Monday, we were taught the basics of Singapore Math by Teacher Beth Lamis of Galileo Enrichment Learning Program, Inc. in Fully Booked Bonifacio High Street. It was an enlightening afternoon of fun and games that we, moms and dads, found ourselves enjoying.

Did you know that Singapore has been consistent in their top ten ranking at Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS)? That's because their students have mastered a technique that allows them to visualize equations, thus helping them understand Math concepts better and more efficiently.

Rowie Matti, CEO of Galileo, told us that schools around the world, including about 200 schools in the Philippines, are now implementing Singapore Math in their curriculum.

The Galileo Enrichment Learning Program offers workshops on Singapore Math to Grades 1 to 6 classroom teachers, Math coordinators, Curriculum Development coordinators, School Heads and Administrators, parents, and grade school students.

Following the success of the Singapore Math Learning Festival in October of last  year, Galileo will once again lead the way in bringing fresh ideas and exciting innovations that administrators, teachers, and parents can use to teach children whether in the classroom or at home. 

Early next year, the 2nd Singapore Math Learning Festival will happen on February 9, 2013 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Ortigas. The conference will focus on how Singapore Math can complement and provide supplementary learning to the implementation of the K-12 program, a new development of the Department of Education. K-12 is an initiative aimed to provide  students with opportunities to master essential skills and competencies by extending their learning years to the 12th grade. K-12 is said to focus on depth rather than breadth so that students are given more time to realize the importance of concepts and connect them to more complex and higher learning.

We are in the age of global competitiveness and many parents are now looking for schools that would unlock the potential of their children in the core subjects, one of which is Mathematics. Schools that have already adopted Singapore Math are paving the way in creating excellent critical thinkers and better Math students.

And because Singapore Math focuses on developing critical thinking through mastery of foundational skills, students are taught a systematic way of learning seemingly difficult math concepts through child-friendly terms and relatable experiences which is complementary to the K-12 curriculum. 

During the Learning Festival, there will be concurrent learning sessions that will tackle topics such as the basics of Singapore Math, how Singapore Math can be applied in various activities inside and outside the classroom, manipulatives and materials to enhance a child’s learning capabilities, innovative activities in teaching geometry and fractions, and how Singapore Math helps students transition from basic to Algebraic concepts.

The conference will also feature a plenary lecture by Dr. Queena Lee-Chua – Math professor and multi-awarded educator – and her son Scott Chua, a multi-awarded student and a Carlos Palanca Awardee for Literature.

For more inquiries on the conference, please contact Galileo's head office at 845-1234 or send an email to info@galileoenrichment.com.