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Fraction division in the Singapore mathematics curriculum
Citation
Koay, P. L., & Ho, S. Y. (2010, August). Fraction division in the Singapore mathematics curriculum [Paper presentation]. 5th East Asia Regional Conference on Mathematics Education, Tokyo, Japan.
Author
Koay, Phong Lee
•
Ho, Siew Yin
Abstract
The teaching and learning of fractions span across the Singapore primary mathematics curriculum from Primary One to Primary Six. Currently, the teaching and learning of fraction division take place at Primary Five and Primary Six. The topic of fraction division has a chequered appearance in the Singapore mathematics curriculum, reflecting the curriculum changes that have taken placed periodically over the years. The periodically reviewed syllabuses are reflected in the school textbooks as well. In the Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS), textbooks are viewed as mediators between general intentions stated in the syllabus and classroom instruction, they provide the links between aims and reality (Valverde, Bianchi, Wolfe, Schmidt & Houang, 2002). Textbooks and the accompany teachers' manuals play a crucial role in helping teachers to teach the concept with relational understanding (Ma, 1999). In this paper, we examine the history of fraction division in the Singapore mathematics curriculum and how the topic on Fraction Division is presented in the mathematics textbooks.
Date Issued
August 2010
Description
This paper was presented at the 5th East Asia Regional Conference on Mathematics Education, held in Tokyo, Japan from 18 – 22 Aug 2010