Primary Math U.S. Edition uses the Singapore methodology
(based on the Singapore’s Ministry of Education Syllabus) that employs a concrete-to-pictorial-to-abstract
approach to teaching. Concrete illustrations are incorporated heavily in the
early grades, gradually giving way to more abstract representations so that
math is learned meaningfully. The program builds strong problem solving,
critical thinking, and computational skills through well-chosen practice
problems. Primary Math focuses on topics such as using whole numbers,
fractions, and decimals, perimeter, area, volume, angles, quadrilaterals,
symmetry, time, length, weight, money, graphs, and algebraic expressions.
American money and U.S. measurements are included in the U.S. edition of this
curriculum.
Each grade consists of two semester sets to be completed in one
year. The ‘A’ textbook and workbook would be first semester, and the ‘B’
textbook and workbook would be second semester. Although the pace of the course
really depends on the individual student, 2-3 pages in the text is usually
enough for one day's lesson. Brief teacher instructions are provided in
the textbook’s preface, but the Home Instructor Guide offers answers and
more in-depth instruction and how to use optional manipulatives for the parent.
Sets include text, workbook, and Home Instructor’s Guide.
We also offer supplemental Primary Math U.S. Extra
Practice Books for each grade level. Optional, these helpful Extra Practice
books provide additional practice problems organized by grade level
topics. Convenient math manipulative kits are also available. Compared
to Saxon Math, Primary Math encompasses a
narrower scope. While Saxon Math covers coordinate graphing,
negative numbers, square roots, and probability, these topics are omitted
from Primary Math and are not covered until New
Elementary Math. The smaller scope, however, allows the program to
emphasize the basics. Primary Math focuses on the four
arithmetic operations (using whole numbers, fractions, and decimals),
perimeter, area, volume, angles, quadrilaterals, symmetry, time, length,
weight, money, graphs, and algebraic expressions (introduced in 6th
grade). Saxon Math moves a bit slower introducing Algebra in Math
87.
