Mathematical problem solving remains a struggle for many students today (Celebioglu et al., 2010; Englard, 2010; Gavaz et al., 2021; N. H. Lee et al., 2014; Yeo, 2011). Though intervention studies have reported measured impact on improving students' problem-solving abilities (Gavaz et al., 2021; Gidalevich & Kramarski, 2019; N. H. Lee et al.,…

A frequent concern about constructivist instruction is that it works well, mainly for students with higher domain knowledge. We present findings from a set of two quasi-experimental pretest-intervention-posttest studies investigating the relationship between prior math achievement and learning in the context of a specific type of constructivist…

The primary school mathematics syllabuses in Singapore as of the year 2020 reinforces that Big ideas are central to the learning of mathematics. In support of the push to teach for big ideas, a research study is presently underway. A part of it is on the professional development (PD) of primary school mathematics teachers. As part of the PD…

This paper investigates the connection between the spiral teaching method and mathematical rigor in K-12 education. Defining rigor as a balanced integration of conceptual understanding, application, and procedural fluency (contrasting it with rote learning), the paper posits that the spiral approach cultivates this rigor. By revisiting…

In Singapore, where primary and secondary students routinely top standardized worldwide mathematics examinations, a paradox emerges: when reaching university, many struggle to apply their skills critically in real-world contexts. This commentary examines the challenges and strategies involved in teaching quantitative reasoning (QR) to…

The current study aimed to identify and clarify students' critical thinking processes in problem exploration. The current study will adopt the definitions of critical thinking conceptualized by Paul and Elder and, at the same time, attempt to apply the concept of elements of reasoning and intellectual standards to achieve the objectives of this…

The goal of this paper is to present a succinct consolidation of the why, what and how of the 'Model' method as there is a lack of such documentation for researchers, practitioners and policy makers thus far. The 'Model' method is a tool for representing and visualising relationships when solving whole number arithmetic (WNA) word problems. The…

This paper focusses on the process of learning mathematics in primary school from the perspectives of 62 girls aged seven to 11. For many of these Singaporean girls, English is not the dominant home language, but they all learn mathematics in English. Despite the fact that achievement in mathematics is high nationally, girls appear to be less…

In this paper, we re-examine the commonly-held notion that typical problems, such as textbook exercises and examination questions, are not useful for orchestrating mathematically-rich learning experiences. Drawing from a larger design-based research project, we present a case study of Alice, a secondary school teacher, who orchestrated a…

This paper explores the impact of the course "Teaching and Learning of Mathematics (Grades 7 and 8)" for the preparation of pre-service secondary mathematics teachers. It examines how pre-service teachers perceived mathematical problem solving and communicating mathematical knowledge before and after the course. The main objective of the…

The aim of this study is to investigate whether the model method is effective to assist primary students to solve word problems. The model method not only provides students with an opportunity to interpret the problem by drawing the rectangular bar but also helps students to visually represent problem situations and relevant relationships on the…

Nonlinear Pedagogy is an exploratory approach to teaching and learning Physical Education that can be potentially effective to help children acquire relevant twenty-first century competencies. Underpinned by Ecological Dynamics, the focus of Nonlinear Pedagogy is on the learner and includes the provision of less prescriptive instructions and…

In this paper the teachers' learning journey on designing a mathematics problem that involves a real-life context is reported. This is part of a larger project undertaken in a primary school in Singapore where the teachers were engaged in planning, observing and critiquing mathematics lessons to investigate teaching and learning. These unique…

This study examined 361 Chinese and 345 Singaporean sixth-grade students' performance and problem-solving strategies for solving 14 problems about speed. By focusing on students from two distinct high-performing countries in East Asia, we provide a useful perspective on the differences that exist in the preparation and problem-solving strategies…

This paper reports on the findings from individual interviews and focus group discussions involving six teachers implementing the Singapore Mathematics Curriculum (SMC) in the Foundation Phase (Grade R to Grade 3) in a school in South Africa. The interviews presented an opportunity to explore teachers' experiences with their attempts to use the…