![]() ![]() That's an advantage if the bar model is versatile enough to apply to many complex problems-and it is. Because Singapore Math uses this one variant consistently, students know what kind of picture to draw. Bar modeling is a specific variant of the common Draw a Picture mathematics problem-solving strategy. The bar modeling tool has taught them not only to solve math problems but also to represent them symbolically-the mainstay of algebraic reasoning. With that solid foundation, students easily step into algebra. By grade 6, they are ready to solve really hard problems…. In grades 4 and 5, they apply the same versatile technique to more difficult, multistep problems. ![]() Students first encounter the technique in 3rd grade, where they apply it to very simple problems…. “In Singapore…students learn how to solve both problems using the same bar model technique. When you or others dismiss Singapore Math, it is tantamount to dismissing Einsteinian Physics. It’s a race to the bottom, and we’re losing the bestest of all. In 2012, US students fell from 25th to 31st place: behind 30 nations including China, Korea, Japan and-YES-Singapore. The United States once led math and science. It can never teach them about the elemental nature of motion or quantum states. Newtonian physics cannot account for changes in state of motion through space-time in zero gravity. Newtonian physics is good enough to teach kids what happens when they fall down. Newtonian physics is consistent-that is, “it works”-in the gravity well of the earth. But “old” math will never get you to Mars. “Old” math is fine if you need to figure exact change at McDonald's. “Old” math-rote memorization based on addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division tables isn’t scalable beyond 2-3 numeric place holders. (I solved the above problem in 20 seconds using cross-multiplication….and a calculator. How much money did she have at first?” For a Singapore math student there is no difference in these problems, and a typical 6th grade student of Singapore math can solve this second problem in 1-2 seconds. She spent 2/5 of the remainder on a book. Solve this problem in the same amount of time: “Lauren spent 20 percent of her money on a dress. It’s easy because we’ve memorized that the answer to 32 – 12 is 20. How long did that take? One or two seconds on average. The “old” way of doing math is fine-if your problems include a degree of complexity that is 1-3 place markers long. Imagine Isaac Newton saying to the world, “Who needs relativity? The fact is, apples fall.” When you or others dismiss Singapore Math, it is tantamount to Newtonian Physicists dismissing Einsteinian Physics. That “new” math is factually called Singapore Math but, when the Department of Education adopted it, the model earned the name “Common Core Math.” The pictures that usually have some sarcastic comment like, “Yea, that’s easier!” I’m talking about the math memes showing the “old” way of doing math and the “new” way of doing math. Heaven forbid-you posted one in the first place. You’ve liked, shared, or commented on one. ![]()
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