Mathematics and Science

Singapore Math

Singapore Math has been carefully chosen by HERITAGE ACADEMY because it teaches the math behind the math and helps students overcome their fear of math. It teaches students to understand math by directing children through ordered stages: (1) Concrete math involves manipulatives such counters, disks, dice, etc., (2) Pictorial math involves solving problems where pictures are involved, and (3) Abstract math involves numbers representing symbolic values. Through the sequenced process, students learn numerous strategies to work with numbers and to build conceptual understanding. Through time and practice, students do eventually master the traditional methods and algorithms, but they clearly understand the methods as they use them. Singapore Math approaches word problems in a dramatically different way. Students learn to visualizeSingapore math at Heritage Academy what a word problem is saying so that they can understand and solve the problem through eight
problem-solving steps. They also learn to draw bar models to visually represent a word problem.

Singapore’s mental math teaches students to calculate in their heads without using pencils and paper. Along with memorizing basic facts, mental math teaches students to do calculations using proven strategies that don’t require writing them down.

The strategies taught in Singapore Math are layered upon one another. One strategy is the foundation for another. For example, students need the prior knowledge of number bonding to be successful at strategies that they will learn later on like vertical addition.

Science

At HERITAGE ACADEMY we believe that teaching hands-on science is essential to help students become engaged with the subject. Completing projects, making models, and doing experiments lead the students to ask more and more questions. Inquiring minds enjoy answers.

In grades K-2, the Core Knowledge Sequence directs the science curriculum and provides, through actual Core Knowledge units of study and lesson plans, excellent projects for these inquiring minds. As an example, Kindergarteners plant, maintain and learn about a vegetable garden. The first graders study the Rain Forest by reading about it, constructing a Rain Forest animal, and presenting a report about that animal to the parents. Second graders produce insect reports that are full of wonder and independent learning.

In grades 3-6 students explore science through hands-on Delta Science Kits that follow the Core Knowledge Sequence. From constructing balloon lungs and making pinhole telescopes to launching hand-made rockets, children experience science.