Primary Mathematics Tests 2A Standards Edition

Countries around the world first became interested in Singapore's math curriculum when results of the Third International Math and Science Study (TIMSS) were published in 1995. Conducted by the International Study Center at Boston College, achievement tests in both math and science were administered to students in over 40 countries. Students from Singapore ranked highly in mathematics achievement: 1st in the fourth, seventh, and eighth grade levels and 2nd at the third grade level. Results for the U.S. were disappointing: 10th in the third grade, 11th in the fourth grade, 23rd in the seventh grade, and 27th at the eighth grade level. In a follow-up study in 1999, Singapore again ranked 1st in eighth grade math achievement while U.S. eighth graders ranked 19th. Although a first place ranking does not necessarily imply the best program, something about Singapore's math program was working.

"Singapore Approach Math" is a general term referring to a type of mathematical instruction (i.e. curriculum) developed from a syllabus designed by Singapore's Ministry of Education in the 1980s. There were a number of revisions and the 3rd edition was the last edition used in Singapore. The good test scores were associated with this material and all of our Singapore Approach Math programs are based primarily on the 3rd edition although it is no longer available for sale. Components from different editions are not interchangeable but a student can move between the editions in-between levels.

Primary Math US (1-6) is an adaptation of the 3rd edition for use in the U.S. Although a small amount of content (division of fractions) from the 2nd edition was added back into the US edition, it is almost identical to the 3rd edition. The US edition adds sections for U.S. customary measurements and uses U.S. spelling and conventions. We expect this edition to be available indefinitely. ©2003

Primary Math S/E (Standards Edition) (K-6) was adapted to meet the pre-Common Core CA math standards. An additional amount of content (probability, data analysis, negative numbers, coordinate graphing) from the 2nd edition was added back in and topics were rearranged but it is similar to the US edition. Cumulative Reviews at the end of each Unit and practice sets within each unit were added. Textbooks are in color. ©2008 This edition includes Earlybird Kindergarten Math.

Primary Math CC (Common Core) (K-5) is aligned to the Common Core State Standards and is another adaptation of the 3rd edition. Only minor changes were made to the scope and sequence. Unit Reviews are no longer cumulative and Practices were removed although some of the content was incorporated into the lessons. ©2014 Includes Earlybird Kindergarten Math CC. This edition will be available for the foreseeable future.

Primary Math 2022 Edition (K-5) is a completely new revision retaining all the excellent teaching methods of the earlier Primary Math programs. Incorporating both cumulative assessments and challenging problem solving, mastery learning is emphasized. The scope and sequence is similar to previous editions and topics are aligned to state and national standards. ©2021-2022

New Elementary Math (7-8) is a no-frills program based on an older Singaporian program and covering integrated algebra and geometry. It's considered a sequel to the Primary Math programs.

Math in Focus (K-8) was developed by Great Source (a division of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt) in conjunction with Marshall Cavendish (the original publisher in Singapore). Although the basic instructional sequences are similar and the content is very close to the SE, material added to the most recent editions brings it into alignment with CC. Math in Focus has a more American look and "feel." ©2010, 2014

View the Singapore Approach Math Comparison Chart.

Primary Math Standards Edition was adapted to meet the pre-Common Core California math standards. No material from the Primary Math US edition was removed for the Standards Edition (SE), only rearranged between levels. A few units have been added primarily in probability and data analysis, negative numbers and coordinate graphing. A glossary of terms was added to each of the textbooks. In levels 2A through 5B there is now a cumulative review after most units in both the textbook and the workbook. 6A and 6B feature reviews after every other unit. Many of the units have a few pages that have been added in order to "reteach" a concept from an earlier level. There is some material that had been removed from the 2nd edition that has been added back in - some of the reteaching pages, additional pages on fractions and mental math learning tasks, along with some problems added to the reviews. Levels 3A through 6B are now in color.

As in the 3rd ed., you need both the textbook and the workbook. The textbook contains the learning tasks along with the practices and reviews that are to be done in class. The workbook contains the independent work. Please note that teacher materials for the U.S. Edition are not compatible with the Standards Edition.

The spiral-bound Standards Edition Teacher's Guides include answers to the Textbook and Workbook problems. Although the Teacher Guides are more classroom-oriented, they do provide detailed daily lesson plans that are adaptable for use with one student. Assignments in the Teacher Guides are listed within the lesson plans and all answers are in the back of the book. Both include lists of suggested manipulatives and materials and included in the appendix of each are mental math worksheets and some teaching helps. Teacher Guides also now include 12 months of access to Math Buddies, an online program created by Marshall Cavendish for practice and reinforcement.

Extra Practice books provide additional problems for A and B books at each level. ~ Janice