Math in Focus®: Singapore Math® by Marshall Cavendish® Homeschool

Homeschool Package Grades K–8

Why?
Features
Additional Resources
  • Why?
    Why? Hexagon Why? Student Materials

    The goal of a great math program is to provide world-class resources to ensure outstanding results. The Singapore Math® curriculum has shown excellent results in the United States. With Math in Focus, you can confidently choose a program that delivers student results.

    Research-based Pedagogy

    Math in Focus offers you the same authentic Singapore Math® curriculum that has propelled Singapore students to international success. It follows the pedagogical framework developed by the Singapore Ministry of Education.

    Concrete–Pictorial–Abstract Learning Progression

    Numbers and symbols can be confusing when you don't have a grasp of what they actually mean. Singapore Math® teaches concepts using a concrete–pictorial–abstract learning progression to anchor learning in real-world, hands-on experiences.

    Pedagogy Fit for RtI

    Math in Focus adapts instruction to the needs of individual learners through scaffolding—the systematic sequencing of prompted content—and support to optimize learning. The ultimate goal of scaffolding is to gradually remove the supports as the learner masters the task.

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    • Scope and Sequence

      Math in Focus teaches math concepts to mastery by emphasizing the various facets of each concept, and then limiting repetition from year to year. This means that a great deal of attention is paid to the order in which math concepts are taught at each grade, and the time spent on each. The Math in Focus Scope and Sequence is the best way to prioritize your instruction of critical math concepts and help your homeschool students attain, then retain, the best understanding possible.

      Grades K–5 (1.3 MB)

      Grades 6–8 (646 k)

    • Authors

      Meet the Math in Focus®: Singapore Math® by Marshall Cavendish® author team.

    • Research and Efficacy

      The principles that underlay the Singapore Math® approach are drawn from a solid base of foundational research that has identified effective approaches to mathematics teaching, and the results are undeniable. Peruse the documents, studies, and reports below for a closer look at the program behind the success.

      Research and Efficacy (3.8 MB)

      History of Singapore Math®

      Singapore has been a top performer on the TIMSS international assessment for the past 15 years. That hasn't always been the case, however.

      History of Singapore Math® (414 k)

      Problem Solving in Singapore Math®

      A key factor to Singapore students' mathematics success is how they approach problem solving. Students learn to understand the "how" and the "why" so they can tackle both routine and non-routine problems.

      Problem Solving in Singapore Math® (685 k)

      Model Drawing in Singapore Math®

      A distinguishing characteristic of the math taught in Singapore is the use of "model drawing." Model drawing, often called "bar modeling" in the U.S., is a systematic method of representing word problems and number relationships.

      Model Drawing in Singapore Math® (504 k)

      The Underpinning Concept in Math in Focus

      Math in Focus is adapted from Singapore's My Pals Are Here! Maths. The underpinning philosophy of both series is the same, and their goal is to ensure children's ability to achieve mastery of mathematics concepts, computational skills, problem-solving skills, and application of mathematics to daily life activities.

      The Underpinning Concept in Math in Focus (553 k)

  • Features

    Math in Focus®: Singapore Math® by Marshall Cavendish® embodies the best practices that have propelled Singapore students to the top of international comparison studies. Math in Focus provides world-class mathematics instruction that meets the specific needs of U.S. students.

    Core Components

    Homeschool Components

    Learn about the components and resources to support you and your students with Math in Focus.

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    Differentiated Instruction

    Differentiated Instruction

    Learn how scaffolding and individualizing instruction can lead every type of learner to math mastery.

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    Manipulatives

    Classroom Manipulatives

    Manipulatives play an important role in the Math in Focus curriculum, as they facilitate the concrete–pictorial–abstract learning progression.

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    • Homeschool Components

      Homeschool Kit with Answer Key

      Homeschool kits with Answer Keys include a Student Textbook, Student Workbook, and Answer Key, with Assessments available separately.

      Homeschool Kit with Teacher’s Edition

      These kits are designed for one semester and include a Student Textbook, Student Workbook, and Teacher’s Edition, with Assessments available separately.

      Student Packs

      Student packs include Student Textbooks and Student Workbooks for both semesters as well as Assessments. (Due to the interactive nature of the Kindergarten program, Teacher Editions are included in the Kindergarten Student Packs.)

    • Differentiated Instruction

      Support all learners with easy-to-use differentiation resources.

      Highly Scaffolded Curriculum

      Math in Focus adapts instruction to the needs of individual learners through scaffolding—the systematic sequencing of prompted content—and support to optimize learning. The ultimate goal of scaffolding is to gradually remove the supports as the learner masters the task.

      Math in Focus uses this approach to introduce new concepts and increasingly difficult problems. Scaffolding is apparent in the concrete–pictorial–abstract approach that appears throughout the program, and in the sequencing of the word problems that go from one step to two step to multistep.

      Scaffolded Curriculum

      Visual Representations

      Math in Focus uses the bar modeling method as a problem-solving tool that is taught explicitly beginning in Grade 2. Students become familiar with this systematic way to translate complex word problems into mathematical equations and avoid the common issue of not knowing where to start. Word problems grow in complexity from one step to two step to multistep, which enhances students' ability to think critically in a systematic process.

      Factoring Algebraic Expressions

      Differentiation Resources

      Extra Practice and Reteach opportunities are provided for every lesson. These can be implemented on a whole-class basis. Math in Focus Teacher's Editions provide tips for helping struggling students at point of use and reference additional Reteach and Extra Practice pages for additional support.

      Differentiated Instruction

      Transition Guide

      Transition Guide (Grades 2–5) provides a map to help transition students into the Math in Focus program. Teachers can easily scan through the skills and concepts presented in prior years to identify background knowledge necessary for student success.

      Transition Guide

      English Language Learners

      The concrete–pictorial–abstract approach is well-suited for English language learners since it is less text-heavy and has more illustrations and visuals. The Teacher's Edition provides lesson-specific suggestions for facilitating instruction for English language learners. The complete program is also available in Spanish.

      English for Language Learners

      Reteach (Struggling Students)

      Reteach provides more exposure to concepts for those students who need more time to master new skills or concepts.

      Differentiation Resources

      Extra Practice (On-Level Students)

      Extra Practice pages correlate directly to the Workbook practices. Put On Your Thinking Cap! questions provide more practice on both non-routine and strategy-based questions.

      Critical Thinking Skills

      Enrichment (Advanced Students)

      Enrichment exercises of varying complexity provide advanced students opportunities to extend learning.

      Brain at Work
    • Manipulatives

      Manipulatives play an important role in the Math in Focus curriculum, as they facilitate the concrete–pictorial–abstract learning progression. Kits are offered in three different configurations to meet the needs of your homeschool class.

      This is an optional item and can be purchased separately. Please call to order or click here to inquire.

      Individual Student Manipulative Kits

      Designed for individual student use and packaged in a mesh bag for storage and organization, the contents of the individual student kits provide the concrete materials used in Math in Focus. They include the key manipulatives for understanding place value, number and operations, mental math, and number sense.

      MIF Individual Kits

      Courses 1–3 Manipulative Kit

      30–Student Manipulative Kit
  • Additional Resources

    Placement Tests

    Placement Tests are available to support each student’s needs.

    Placement Test Introduction (52 KB)

    Placement Test 1A (1.6 MB) Placement Test 1B (2.8 MB)
    Placement Test 2A (0.7 MB) Placement Test 2B (2.3 MB)
    Placement Test 3A (0.7 MB) Placement Test 3B (0.3 MB)
    Placement Test 4A (0.6 MB) Placement Test 4B (0.5 MB)
    Placement Test 5A (0.3 MB) Placement Test 5B (0.3 MB)

    Sample Pages

    Get a taste of just what makes Math in Focus so effective with these product samplers.

    Grades K–5 (2.9 MB)

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