The teachers need more than one workshop and training to adequately prepare themselves for a new math approach. The curriculum materials consist of a set of textbooks, workbooks and teachers guides. They are not meant to replace experience. Teachers need year-round support, not just as a source to ask technical questions about new techniques such as bar models or number bonds, but also to discover what they don’t know, and what other grade level teachers are teaching. They shouldn’t have to wait till the next summer to ask these questions at another workshop/ training. They need to get answers quickly throughout the year.

Teachers should not second guess the overall effectiveness of the curriculum, or sit on the side-line wondering if the school is going to switch to another fancy curriculum again in a few years time. The Singapore based curriculum works – it is based on years of research and best practices. Have faith and dig in to fully understand the “new” instructional methods and tools. Internalize and reflect on how they are better or worse than other “traditional” or more familiar methods. Question and discuss with your math coach or other teachers, if you feel strongly against a particular pedagogical approach. At the end of the day, your students need you to show them the path. You need to spend the time to understand how to operate the lamp before you step into the classroom.