Mathematics

Vision:

Woodlanders driven by passion in Math.

Mission:

We are committed to develop motivated learners with strong Mathematical foundation to stay relevant.

Department Overview:

Our school adopts the MOE Mathematics Curriculum Framework and its Key Focus closely to develop Woodlanders with the necessary mathematical concepts and skills for continuous learning. We seek to develop confidence in Woodlanders and an appreciation of mathematics in their everyday life. Woodlanders are given the opportunities for different learning experiences such as hands-on activities and ICT to understand concepts. Woodlanders are provided with opportunities to be engaged in thinking, reasoning, communicating ideas and collaborating with one another during their learning process. Our school programmes are catered to develop the masses as well as targeted groups of pupils as part of Woodlanders’ learning in WDP.

Core Programmes:

Strategies and Support for All Pupils:

Use of Various Teaching Approaches
- Our teachers explore and strengthen their skills in various teaching approaches in order to deliver the best lessons to our pupils. Some examples of the approaches our teachers have taken include the use of Play-based Learning and the use of ICT and e-Pedagogy.
- Through the various approaches taken, pupils have opportunities to be engaged in hands-on or virtual activities and games.
- With e-Pedagogy to guide our development of ICT-enhanced lessons, our teachers use tools and websites such as Student Learning Space (SLS), Google Classroom and web-based apps such as Blooket and Wordwall.
- Such experiences enable our pupils to enhance their learning as they learn new content, collaborate with one another and demonstrate their learning while having fun.

Figure 1 An example of the use of SLS for pupils to demonstrate their learning

Figure 2 Upper Pri pupils using web-based apps to assess their own learning

Figure 3 Middle Pri pupils learning the topic of Money through hands-on activities

Figure 4 Lower Pri pupils playing a game of Math Snake and Ladders

Use of Math Manipulatives
- Teaching and learning at all levels are supported with the use of Math manipulatives such as linking cubes and fraction discs.
- We have also curated certain manipulatives and activities into a Math Kit for P1 and P2 pupils. The lower primary pupils use the Math Kit during lessons. They also get to bring them home during the holidays to play the games with their family in order to strengthen their Math concepts.

Figure 5 Middle Pri pupils learning fractions using linking cubes

Figure 6 Lower Pri pupils engaged in the activities from the Math Kit

Figure 7 Our curated Math Kit for P1 and P2 pupils

Use of In-House Worksheets and Materials
- Over the years, we have developed and continually improved our in-house worksheets to supplement the textbook and workbook.
- These materials enable pupils to develop their:
- Factual fluency and mental math capabilities so that they can do math computation quickly and accurately.
- Skills in heuristics, such as looking for pattern, listing and model drawing, so that they can confidently solve higher order Math problems.
Fun Math
- To increase pupils’ interest in Math, we organise frequent Fun Math activities at every level. These activities allow pupils to have fun while being engaged in math tasks.

Figure 8 Pupils engaged in a Fun Math activity

Figure 9 Lucky pupils who won a prize for completing a Fun Math activity

Targeted Programmes for Selected Pupils:

Holiday Programme for P5 Pupils
- To enable P5 pupils to have a better appreciation of Mathematics, we curated a special 3-hour programme for pupils to experience kite-making while making use of concepts such as ratio which they had learnt during the year.

Figure 10 P5 pupils working together to measure the length of the stick for their kite

Figure 11 P5 Pupils discussing the proportion of their kite

Learning Support Programme for Mathematics (LSM)
- The LSM programme is provided to selected pupils from Primary 1 to Primary 3 who would benefit from a smaller class size and closer attention from LSM-trained teachers.
- The programme focuses on building good mathematical understanding with the aim to of building pupils’ confidence and positive beliefs about their ability to do Math.
- This programme will also be rolled out to Primary 4 pupils from 2024.
Improving Confidence and Achievement in Numeracy (ICAN) Programme
- The ICAN programme supports pupils who need to gain a good understanding and mastery of fundamental mathematics concepts and skills. It focuses on conceptual understanding, procedural fluency and factual fluency.
- ICAN-trained teachers support such pupils at the Upper Primary levels.
Math Sparks
- Math Sparks is an after-school programme for P1 to P2 to foster their interest in Math through games and activities, allowing pupils to build confidence in Math in a fun and enjoyable way.

Figure 12 Pupils strengthen their basic numeracy skills while having fun during Math Sparks

Figure 13 Pupils working together through a game during Math Sparks

Math Wizards
- Math Wizards is a talent development programme for selected P4 to P6 pupils. Through Math Wizards, pupils will have opportunities to deepen their thinking skills and strengthen their rigour in Math through experiential learning and higher-order thinking questions.
- Our Math Wizards have done well in recent competitions such as the Singapore and Asian Schools Mathematics Olympiad and National Mathematical Olympiad of Singapore.

Figure 14 Math Wizards discussing their task

Figure 15 P4 Math Wizards receiving their SASMO certificates

Figure 16 P5 Math Wizards receiving their SASMO certificates

Figure 17 P5 Math Wizards receiving their NMOS certificates

Useful links:

Mathematics Online Resources for Parents: https://www.schoolbag.edu.sg/story/mathematics-online-resources-for-parents

Tips to Support your Child’s Learning of Mathematics

For all levels - https://www.schoolbag.edu.sg/story/making-mathematics-fun
For Lower Primary - https://www.schoolbag.edu.sg/story/tips-to-support-your-child-s-learning-of-mathematics
For Lower to Middle Primary - https://www.schoolbag.edu.sg/story/explore-mathematics-related-resources

Other Useful Information for Parents

FAQ about Mathematics - https://www.schoolbag.edu.sg/story/does-maths-have-to-be-so-difficult