INDIANAPOLIS, IN – Global education leader Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HMH) today announced that its popular Singapore math program, Math in Focus is now available for grade 6. Effectively preparing students for more advanced topics as they transition from elementary to middle school, Course 1 for middle school, employs the effective Singapore pedagogy - focused topics centered around problem solving. Also, two additional Math in Focus courses, Course 2 and 3 for grades 7 and 8, are currently in development. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt will be exhibiting samples of the new program during the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) Conference in Indianapolis, IN.
“Math in Focus Course 1 is designed to help students make the challenging transition from arithmetic to algebra,” said Andy Clark, U.S. Consulting Author for Math in Focus Course 1. “It uses visual models to move students from rational numbers to ratio and rate problems. Math in Focus engages students and helps them reach mastery of key concepts for today’s globally competitive environment.”
Like the elementary levels, Math in Focus Course 1 for grade 6 is aligned to comply with Common Core State Standards and will contain full print and online technology components for differentiated math instruction, as well as interactive whiteboard lessons, parent support videos, author podcasts and math background videos.
Math in Focus was created in partnership with Asian publisher Marshall Cavendish and is the U.S. version of Singapore’s most widely used primary level program, My Pals Are Here! Maths.
Singapore Math concepts continue to attract attention from educators all over the country for their use of a unique pictorial approach, allowing students to look at problems in a visual way before they move to the abstract. Also distinctive is its consistent focus on problem solving, with specific problem-solving heuristics taught in a carefully sequenced manner, and extensive use of word problems as a way to condition students to connect different mathematical ideas.
Another key differentiator of Singapore math is its focus on concept mastery. A limited number of topics are covered each year, allowing each to be covered in great detail and then reinforced even as a new concept is introduced — as compared to most curricula that tend to introduce dozens of topics each year, resulting in instruction that has been described as "a mile wide and an inch deep."
“The Math in Focus program continues to revolutionize the way math is taught and learned,” said Scott Bowker, General Manager of Specialized Curriculum for HMH. “We are excited to be able to expand this offering and continue preparing students for critical thinking and the needs of a 21st-century economy.”
More information is available at www.hmheducation.com/mathinfocus. You may also visit Houghton Mifflin Harcourt in booth 817 at the NCTM Annual Meeting, which runs from April 13-16, 2011 in Indianapolis.
About Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
With education products and services used by 57 million students throughout all 50 U.S. states and 120 countries, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt is a global education and learning company. The world's largest provider of materials for pre-K–12 learning, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt is leading the way with innovative solutions and approaches to the challenges facing education today. Through curricula excellence coupled with technology innovations and professional services, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt collaborates with school districts, administrators, teachers, parents and students, providing interactive, results-driven learning solutions. Its Educational Consulting Services group works to increase student achievement in underperforming schools by developing, implementing and supporting education transformation through sustained district partnerships. With origins dating back to 1832, the Company also publishes an extensive line of reference works and award-winning literature for adults and young readers. For more information, visit www.hmhco.com.