SINGAPORE MATH

Number Sense and Computational

Strategies

What Is Singapore Math?

number
sense

model

mental
math

Singapore Math is a base-10

math program that centers on
intensive number sense

instruction, model drawing, and

mental math.

Number Sense

Number sense is a
student's overall
understanding of numbers
and their relationships.

Computation Strategies
Concrete

use of
manipulative

Pictorial

Abstract

drawings or
pictures

10

Concrete

Pictorial

Abstract

3 + 7 = 10

Model Drawing

Model drawing is a stepby-step, visual method of

translating a word
problem into a diagram in
order to solve it.

7 step-by-step
1. read the problem carefully.
2. identify the who and what variables.
3. draw a unit bars (equal bars].
4. adjust our unit bar or unit bars to
represent the who and what.
5. place a question mark around or next
to the thing solving for.
6. do the computation [number sentence].
7. write the answer in a complete
sentence.

1. Annie has 5 bananas. She also has 7 oranges. How many fruits does Annie
have altogether?
2. Find the variables [the who and what]
3. Draw the unit bars

Annies bananas
4. Adjust the bars

5.Place

a question mark

Annies oranges
6. Do the computation [number sentence] 5 + 7 = 12 { 10 + 2 }
7. Write the answer in a complete sentence. Annie has 12 fruits altogether.

1. Tracy had 2 more chocolate candies than Mia. If Mia had 11 chocolate candies,
how many did they have altogether?
2. Find the variables [the who and what]
3. Draw the unit bars
Tracy's chocolate candies

4. Adjust the unit bars

Mias chocolate candies

5. Place a
question mark

T M
6. Do the computation [number sentence] 13 + 11 = 24 (10+10+3+1)
7. Write the answer in a complete sentence. Tracy and Mia had 24 chocolate
candies altogether.

Mental Math

Mental math is the

transition from doing
math on paper to doing it
in their minds.