Mathematics is viewed as a way of thinking and a language for exploration and understanding. Our curriculum provides the platform to inquire into this language and think in a balanced and logical way.

We adopt the MOE Mathematics curriculum standards as we believe it to be a rigorous approach to teaching Elementary Mathematics. It emphasises developing problem-solving skills using the model approach, leading to an understanding of algebraic reasoning.

Mathematical thinking is embedded in the MOE Maths approach and involves questioning and constructing a rational and logical system of investigation and problem-solving. These skills are vital to our future-orientation students in an age of innovation, invention and scientific discovery.

The unique feature of the Maths curriculum is the spiral design, where a concept such as ‘fractions’ begins on a very tight and small circle of the spiral (i.e. parts of a whole). At the next level, the spiral opens up to revisit a prior concept taught (i.e. equal parts of a whole) and to introduce other related but more complex concepts, such as equivalent fractions, then progressing to the four operations of fractions. This continues to Grade 6 until all the related ideas are developed. Children are given opportunities to revisit concepts introduced in an earlier grade level and build and extend upon them.

The Maths curriculum also includes ‘big ideas that are central to Mathematics. They appear in different topics and strands, with a continuation of ideas across all grade levels. Big ideas bring coherence and connect across different topics, strands and levels. One such big idea is ‘equivalence’, which appears in Grade 1 and continues through to Grade 6. For example, equivalence can be seen in the same value for two different numerical expressions, the same part-whole relationship between two fractions, the exact measurement for two quantities in different units, and the same data represented in two different graphs.

Through the modelling approach of MOE Maths, our students develop the following skills:

• Visualisation
• Looking for Patterns
• Number Sense
• Metacognition
• Communication

The overarching goal of the Maths curriculum is to ensure that all students will achieve a level of mastery of mathematics that will serve them well in life and for those who have the interest and ability to pursue mathematics at the highest possible level.

* (MOE - Ministry of Education, Singapore)