• A fundamental component of the Singapore Maths Scheme is using the children’s knowledge of number pairs for ten (1+9, 2+8, 3+7, 4+6, 5+5) to help them with addition and subtraction (i.e. ‘bridging through ten’).
3 stages in any calculation
1. Concrete: using objects
2. Pictorial: drawing a picture
3. Abstract: writing a sum
Addition
9 + 3 =
1. Concrete: use cubes for 9 and 3
9 cubes
in one egg box
3 cubes in the other egg box
Move cubes from one box to make 10 in the other box
2. Pictorial – showing working
9 + 3 = 12
1 2
3. Abstract – written down
9 + 3 = 12
Subtraction
13 – 6 =
1. Concrete: use cubes
Use cubes to show the
first number
(13)
Move cubes to subtract the second number (6) from the ten