Wednesday, October 20, 2010

My Pals Are Here: Singapore Method Curriculum

Better late than never...




I forgot to share with you that one of my best finds during this year's Manila International Book Fair (MIBF) is the discovery of the local distributor of the Singapore textbook, My Pals Are Here. My kids use these textbooks for their Singapore Math and Science curriculum.

I just want to share the good news to all the parents whose kids are learning the Singapore method. The local distributor is selling the complementary books to the My Pals Are Here textbooks. There are exercise books available for all levels of students

a. My Pals Are Here - Reteach. The exercises in this book are carefully structured to provide learners with more time and opportunities to learn.

b. My Pals Are Here - Practice. The exercises offered here are opportunities to revise and extend concepts and skills.

c. My Pals Are Here - Enrichment. The exercises in this book are carefully designed to challenge and motivate fast learners.



The latest edition costs a little more than P400.00. But if you do not mind buying the old edition (read: published 2005 or earlier) like I did, you get to save 50%. I bought up all the enrichment books I could get my hands on. Yes, on all levels. It was a little bit like hoarding. :) Roughly, I got two books for the price of one. Bargain, di ba?

When their school shifted to using the Singapore Method a couple of years ago, I found myself complaining, along with numerous other parents, that the curriculum seemed too easy that it was like going down a grade level. Or at least, that was how it looked like if you look at the textbooks alone. I remembered the first time I browsed through the math book, shocked that her grade level curriculum covered addition and subtraction only up to 20, when my girl can easily add unto the hundred value already. "adding and subtracting up to 20? Easy-peasy!" Little did I know that the analytical part of problem solving would require some re-learning of math concepts. Students are required to get creative as mathematical equations are worked with together with the aid of the bar model method.



This technique of model building is a visual way of picturing a situation. Instead of forming simultaneous equations and solving for the variables, model building involves using blocks or boxes to solve the problem. The power of using models, if learned with proper guidance, often allow grade school kids to be able to solve algebraic word problems. If models can be drawn to show the situation, the solution becomes clearer, sometimes even obvious.

At that time, I also did not understand the importance on the concentrated focus on using number bonds for addition and subtraction. I had no concept at all on what the number bonds were for, except maybe to confuse the child and exasperate the parent/tutor. Because we all grew up doing carry over 1 and borrow 1 for addition and subtraction of two digit numbers with regrouping, right?

Just a few weeks ago, I attended a Singapore Math seminar, offered by my daughters' school this time, and here it was explained to me that mastery of the number bonds at the early grade level facilitates mental math in the higher grade levels. We were also taught how to solve multi-solution algebraic problems using the bar model method.

It is then that I have come to appreciate the wonders of the Singapore Math and Science curriculum. Teaching them the Singapore method has always been testy for me. But not anymore.

Singapore Math is a balance between drill and creative problem solving. Students are encouraged to move along to more abstract math concepts in a more rational way and, depending on the student's pace, more quickly. I also found out for myself as I tutored my kids that the Singapore approach encourages greater problem solving skills and creative thinking. In fact, algebra problems are a breeze when done the Singapore method way.

In the same way, Singapore Science aims to stimulate young minds, cultivate their interest, and spark their curiosity in finding out about the things around them. It adopts a hands-on and inquiry-based approach to the learning of Science, including experiments, worksheets and projects and research on the Internet for information.



Are you asleep already? It's ok, you can wake up now... I am done with the post. :)


22 comments :

  1. I LOVE THIS POST! I also do the exact same thing with the "carry over" and "borrow 1" technique when tutoring, hahaha...Singapore-way is the long-way! :) and I too thought we're studying backwards with the single digit equations!
    Now the boy and I appreciate the concrete and visual aspect of this approach -- very "progressive"! (wink). Hurray for Googol! :)

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  2. Are you kidding? I love this post! My husband (who's a math whiz, in my eyes) he's always done math visually and by "sets or number bonding" always rounding up or down - and that's how he could do math mentally and quickly. Meanwhile, I was taught the "carry 1, borrow 1" method also, so medyo slow ako...Now that I know there are textbooks on this method, I'm so very happy!!! Hope my kids learn to love math!

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  3. Hi,
    I have been searching for a local distributor of this book. Do you know where can I find this distributor in the Phils? I hope you can send me an email if it's not too much a bother. Thanks! sweetypaula at gmail.com

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  4. Hi Paula! I already tweeted you the contact number. Hope it helps!

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  5. Hi.

    I am so happy I bumped in your blog through mom-friday. Can you send me where can i get these books. Thanks so much.

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  6. hi can you also share where to buy these books? thanks...

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  7. Hi, do you know where can I find distributor here in the Philippines? I hope you can send me info my email add is maykareen at yahoo.com. Thank you

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  8. Hi, I would like to ask if where I can find a distributor of this book here in the Philippines? Hope you can send me info or please email me at ranne_21@yahoo.com. Thank you and God bless!

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  9. Hi there. Hope you can provide me with the distributor's details as well. If you can, kindly email me at kitten.macawili@gmail.com

    Thanks so much in advance. :)

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  10. Hi! May i also know who the distributor of these books are in the Philippines? Please email me info at honeyamabelle@gmail.com. I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks!

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  11. i'd been searching for a local distributor of these books. hope you can email me the distributor's details.here's my email ad: jeannie_jcrf@yahoo.com.thanks and God bless.

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  12. does anyone know where you can get these locally?

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  13. Hi. May I ask for the local distributor's name and contact number? you can PM me at maricarcortes@yahoo.com

    Thanks,
    Maricar Santillan

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  14. Hi! Can you please send me contact details of the local distributor here in the Philippines? My email is rioboy5@yahoo.com. Thanks in advance!

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  15. hi,

    may i know where i can purchase the said books? please email me the details: rude_boy0174@yahoo.com

    thanks

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  16. I'm so happy i saw your post. My daughter is in primary 1 now and their school is teaching singapore math and science. Likewise I only learned and know the traditional way of counting. It will be a great help if I can buy books regarding singapore math. Please email me the contact details of the philippine distributor. marjoriegotauco@yahoo.com Thanks!

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  17. I just stumbled across this blog. Im a kindergarten teacher.. Can you pleeaaase give me the contact number of the local distributor? Many thanks!!

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  18. my email: joannesreyes@gmail.com

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  19. hi Paula! thanks for sharing this post. I have started homeschooling my son and i have been looking for the local distributor of My Pals are here...kindly send via email villegas0201@yahoo.com or thru text 09182168317 the contact number of the local distributor. Thanks so much!

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  20. Hi. Love your post. Came across it just now. I hope I can help your readers in terms of where to get their hands on the books. I am connected with the exclusive distributor of these books. You may reach us at 822-3640 or 822-3625 or email me at dots_ngo@yahoo.com for any inquiry about the books.

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  21. hi can you email me the details where can i buy those books cathydulalia@yahoo.com

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  22. hi, Can i ask the details of local distributor here in the Philippines, my email ad is fpenalosa8@gmail.com. Thanks, in advance.

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