Excellence in Elementary Mathematics

Innovation in Action

Young children are like sponges—they soak up every bit of learning and can't wait for the next drop. At the Lower School, we continually assess the best ways for our students to learn and grow, based on current research, experience, and the expertise of our faculty. For more than a decade our students have benefited from a rich mathematics program based on the work of educational leaders such as Kathy Richardson, Kathy Fosnot, Jo Boaler, and Monica Neagoy. Currently, we are excited that an innovative program called Math in Focus by Singapore Math provides the foundation for our teaching and learning.

This program provides meaningful learning experiences where students solve problems, reason about their mathematical thinking, and communicate their ideas in written and oral form. This promotes connections between mathematical ideas and real-life experiences. Large and small group instruction, hands-on activities with manipulatives, calculators, iPads, cooperative work, and physical and online math games are all included in the curriculum to meet individual needs and learning styles. Explore this page to learn more about our math program!

More About Singapore Math

List of 5 items.

What is Singapore Math?

It's an authentic Singapore Math curriculum—with problem solving as the center of math learning and concepts taught with a concrete–pictorial–abstract learning progression through real-world, hands-on experiences. The focus is on how to best facilitate students explaining their thinking and not just sharing their answers. This fosters multiple, creative pathways to arrive at the same result and enriches the learning of the entire class.
Are Singapore Math and Math in Focus the same program?

Yes! The name Singapore Math refers to the teaching methods or the actual curriculum used for elementary students in Singapore. In the 1980s and 1990s, Singapore examined best practices worldwide and created a rigorous program that focused on problem solving and mastery of the most important mathematical skills and concepts. Between 1984 and 1995, the nation moved from 16th in the world to No. 1 in mathematics performance, and the successful program they developed was honed and enhanced in the following decade. The program has been used worldwide and was introduced to the United States under the name Math in Focus.
Why Singapore Math?
- Clarity of the materials (students don’t get lost in wordy instructions and descriptions)
- Focus on the most critical mathematical concepts
- Mastery of key mathematical concepts and building blocks through in-depth study, exploration, and practice
- Breadth of resources to challenge and support students
- Richness of the word problems and powerful methods to solve complex problems
- Use of many strategies and approaches (hands-on manipulatives, pictures, and equations)
- Robust online tools and resources, leveraging powerful technology
What training has our faculty received in order to teach Singapore Math?

SSSAS has formed an invaluable relationship with the Singapore Math leadership, which has enabled our teachers to fully embrace the curriculum with enthusiasm and confidence. Professional development was instrumental in the successful implementation of Math in Focus. Our teachers received extensive training, which will continue throughout the first three years of introducing the program.
When did SSSAS begin using Singapore Math?

After a year of research, review, and testing, the Lower School adopted Math in Focus for first through fifth grades during the 2015-2016 school year.

Singapore Math Framework

SSSAS Hosts International Educators & Local Workshops

As more American schools begin using Math in Focus, SSSAS is becoming a national model for this burgeoning program.

We have hosted international study teams who are observing exemplary mathematics education in the U.S.

Hosted the VAIS Singapore Math workshop as well as two by Math in Focus.

Our teachers and students have been featured in global education videos and materials regarding Math in Focus.

Locally, we have hosted nearly 50 area educators and math specialists wanting to learn more about our successful program.

Teaching Strategies from Dr. Neagoy

Our Lower School faculty works closely with consultant & author Dr. Monica Neagoy. We recommend the teaching strategies in her book, Planting the Seeds of Algebra, 3-5: Explorations for the Upper Elementary Grades.

Dr. Neagoy recently visited SSSAS to teach fractions. Watch the video here.

SSSAS Helps International School

Math in Focus expert Ann Bremner, SSSAS Director of Lower School Mathematics, was invited to The American School in Switzerland (TASIS) in 2017 to help with their school's transition to Math in Focus. Ms. Bremner spent three full days observing classes, meeting with teachers, and offering advice. Read more!

Director of Lower School Math

List of 1 members.

Mrs. Ann Bremner

Director of Lower School Math and LS Interim Learning Resources Coordinator

703-212-2793

University of Notre Dame - BA
Trinity University - MAT
George Mason University - M.Ed

Math Olympiad

Our fourth and fifth grade students participate in Math Olympiad— a large and popular mathematics competition for students in fourth through eighth grades. The goals of the program are: