Mathematics

In Yio Chu Kang Primary School, learning mathematics is an active process where students engage in meaningful activities and learning experiences to explore and learn mathematical concepts and skills. Through activity-based and inquiry-based learning, our teachers provide opportunities for students to apply what they have learnt, articulate their thinking and mathematical reasoning, hence allowing them to construct understandings of abstract mathematical concepts.

Critical thinking in Problem Solving
The Polya’s 4 Steps (Understand, Plan, Do, Check) Approach is used to help students develop the habit of thinking to solve mathematics problems in a systematic manner. As students progress to a higher level, they are introduced to more strategies to help them handle more demanding problems.

Math Trails
Students learn best when they can apply their learning to everyday situations. The Mathematics Department organises Math Trails around the school for our students to experience mathematics in real-life.  Students will get to solve authentic tasks at various parts of our school by applying the mathematics concepts and skills that they have learnt. In this way, our students will be able to see the applicability of the mathematical knowledge they have acquired.

Math Xcite!
Under the Math Xcite! programme, the Mathematics Department organises mathematics-related games and puzzles for all students. These activities aim to spark curiosity and allow students to experience the joy and excitement of learning mathematics in a fun and engaging way. In 2023 and 2024, the department introduced a Rubik’s Cube Challenge to bring the iconic puzzle closer to our students. The event generated much enthusiasm, with many students actively participating and expressing a keen interest in improving their solving skills. Beyond individual engagement, the Challenge also fostered a spirit of collaboration and mentorship — our Primary 6 students stepped up to guide their younger schoolmates in Primary 1 and 2, patiently teaching them the basics of solving the Rubik’s Cube. Through the Challenge, students not only explored the history and global competitive landscape of the Rubik’s Cube, but also experienced the joy of learning through play and peer interaction.

Enrichment – E2K Mathematics
For students who demonstrate aptitude and interest in Mathematics, our school offers the E2K Mathematics Enrichment Programme. This programme is designed to stretch students beyond the standard curriculum by engaging them in rich and challenging mathematical tasks. Grounded in an inquiry-based approach, E2K encourages students to explore, investigate, and reason through mathematical problems. Through guided discovery and collaborative discussions, students learn to make conjectures, test their ideas, and refine their thinking. This approach not only deepens their conceptual understanding, but also nurtures important 21st-century competencies such as critical thinking, perseverance, and communication.

Mathematics Competitions
To further stretch students who demonstrated aptitude for the subject, the Mathematics Department sends selected students to participate in various mathematics competitions.

• Raffles Institution Primary Mathematics Word Contest (RIPMWC)

• National Mathematical Olympiad of Singapore (NMOS)

• Singapore and Asian Schools Math Olympiad (SASMO)