Math made fun: Singapore system hits Utah school

Who says math can't be fun?

During Silver Hills Elementary School's math night, first-graders showed off their new skills — and their parents learned more about the school's Singapore math pilot program.

"She comes home and teaches me how to do it," said Mayra Wallen, of West Valley City, whose daughter, Jimena, is in the program.

Singapore math is a method in which students learn mastery of core concepts then move on to solving problems by applying that knowledge. The curriculum is extremely visual and involves word problems. In southeast Asia's Singapore, students consistently test No. 1 internationally in math.

Sen. Howard Stephenson, R-Draper, is sponsoring a bill, SB159, this legislative session that would allow five schools to apply for a grant to launch Singapore math.

The goal is to better prepare students to compete globally in math-related fields, including science and engineering. "We can't delay improvement of our math," he said.

At the request of the State Board of Education, Stephenson reduced the proposed annual cost from $1.7 million to $500,000, which would pay for 5,000 students to take Singapore math. The legislation is awaiting debate in the House.

State education leaders have expressed support for the program while voicing concerns for the cost. "It's a totally different approach to doing mathematics instruction," said Brenda Hales, associate state superintendent of student achievement and school success.

Guess the number

At Silver Hills' math night, kids engaged their parents in several math games, including one called "Missing Addends."

The parents glanced around the room, wondering who would be brave enough to ask, "What the heck is an addend?"

The teacher placed a mystery number of colored plastic squares under a bowl and then put seven squares on top of the bowl. There were 20 squares total. A volunteer student walked on a plastic number strip starting at square seven and counting the numbers to 20, a total of 13 steps.

Parent Nancy Saxton, of Kearns, says she really likes the Singapore math program so far. Her first-grade son, Andrew, is in the pilot program.