About Math in Focus
Welcome to Math in FocusTM: The Singapore Approach, the world-class math curriculum from Singapore adapted for U.S. classrooms based on updated math standards.
Math in Focus addresses topics in greater depth at each grade. Grade 5 (parent handouts)
Math in Focus addresses topics in greater depth at each grade. Grade 5 (parent handouts)
This year, your fifth grader will focus on:
- building problem-solving skills and strategies
- multiplying and dividing with 2-digit numbers, fractions, mixed numbers and decimals
- solving equations and evaluating inequalities
- finding area of a triangle, and surface area and volume of three-dimensional shapes
- using ratios and percents, and finding the probability of an event
- applying properties of angles, triangles, and four-side figures
You can help your child build confidence as well as communication skills in mathematics
by practicing newly acquired skills at home by taking advantage of opportunities to use math
in everyday situations. Allow your child's math class-work or homework to guide you in
determining the appropriate level of challenge.
by practicing newly acquired skills at home by taking advantage of opportunities to use math
in everyday situations. Allow your child's math class-work or homework to guide you in
determining the appropriate level of challenge.
While reading newspapers and magazines, invite your child to:
- estimate sums, differences, products, and quotients of large numbers
- keep an eye of for ratios, percents, and graphs
At home or at the supermarket, challenge your child to:
- decide which brand is more cost effective
- find the surface area and volume of objects in the shape of rectangular prisms
- classify triangles and find the area of triangular figures
- use calculators to work with household bills
On car trips, allow your child to:
- identify various three-dimensional shapes
- read maps with scales expressed in ratio form
What will Math in Focus look like in the
classroom?
Math in Focus is aligned with Common Core State Standards, the new more rigorous
standards we are working to meet to ensure our children are competitive both nationally
and internationally.
standards we are working to meet to ensure our children are competitive both nationally
and internationally.
What will you see in the classroom?
Focused Work and Mastery! Math in Focus introduces fewer topics in each grade, but
teaches them deeply and to mastery. In the past, we have introduced many topics, but
have not had the opportunity to go in depth, and ensure our students truly understand
concepts to mastery.
teaches them deeply and to mastery. In the past, we have introduced many topics, but
have not had the opportunity to go in depth, and ensure our students truly understand
concepts to mastery.
Visual and Balanced Approach! Math in Focus is highly visual, following a
concrete-to-pictorial-to-abstract progression.
Focus on Number and Operations! Math in Focus is sequenced in a way that
ensures students develop a strong number sense. Students spend much of the first half
of the year studying number. This is necessary to move on to more complex and abstract
thinking.
ensures students develop a strong number sense. Students spend much of the first half
of the year studying number. This is necessary to move on to more complex and abstract
thinking.
Problem Solving Using Model-Drawing! The Singapore approach utilizes
model-drawing strategies to help students solve problems. The problems utilized in
Math in Focus are high quality and complex in nature.
model-drawing strategies to help students solve problems. The problems utilized in
Math in Focus are high quality and complex in nature.
Importance of Attitudes and Metacognition! The Singapore approach emphasizes
the importance of attitude, and the ability to self-monitor while problem solving to achieve
success in math. Students will be learning about perseverance as well! We know they
can spend endless hours on certain things (like video games), so let's build stamina
in math as well. We want our children to be able to think and problem solve - a life skill!
Problem Solving is at the Core!
The Singapore Ministry of Education uses a graphic to represent their vision for mathematics
teaching: a pentagon, with problem solving at the center. You will see five interdependent,
yet necessary elements surrounding it.
teaching: a pentagon, with problem solving at the center. You will see five interdependent,
yet necessary elements surrounding it.
- Processes - Thinking skills
- Concepts - Numerical, Geometrical, Algebraic, Statistical
- Skills - Estimation/Approximation; Mental calculation; Communication; Use of
- mathematical tools; Arithmetic manipulation; Algebraic manipulation; Handling data
- Attitudes - Confidence and Perseverance, Interest and Appreciation
- Metacognition - Monitoring one's thinking
Students are encouraged to consider how they think, how they communicate, and how
they solve problems, so they can apply their skills to subsequent problems.
they solve problems, so they can apply their skills to subsequent problems.
Source: Singapore Mathematics Framework
