Singapore maths and Australian Curriculum level 4 comparison
Here we compare Singapore maths level 4 against the Australian Curriculum (AC).
If you have read any of our other comparisons, you will note that Singapore maths primary grades do not place emphasis on chance and probability as a specific concept area. This is covered formally in year 8. However, the primary grades are stronger on the more basic areas of fractions, decimals, and multiplication and division.
Singapore maths also places more emphasis on using visual and manual manipulatives to help students understand concepts, and does not use “digital technologies” to the degree that the AC presents. This is not to say that you shouldn’t use calculators and the like in your maths instruction, but use them sparingly and at your own discretion.
As you read through this comparison remember to check the levels before and after for a comprehensive view of when things are covered as Singapore maths does not always fall in line with the AC.
Number and algebra
Australian Curriculum | New Syllabus Primary Maths | Primary Maths US Ed. |
Number and place value | Number and place value | Number and place value |
Use odd and even numbers | Taught in level 2 | |
Numbers to at least tens of thousands | * Count to 100,000 * Count in ten thousands * Compare and order numbers within 100,000 | * Count to 100,000 * Count in ten thousands * Compare and order numbers within 100,000 |
Partition, rearrange and regroup numbers to at least tens of thousands for calculations /problems | Recognise and complete number sequences | Recognise and complete number sequences |
Number sequences involving multiples of 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, and 9 | Multiples and factors (Number sequences involving multiples of 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, and 9 taught in level 3) | Multiples and factors (Number sequences involving multiples of 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, and 9 taught in level 3) |
Multiplication and division facts up to 10 × 10 | * Multiply by 1 and 2 digit numbers * Divide by 1 digit number | * Multiply by 1 and 2 digit numbers * Divide by 1 digit number |
Use digital technologies for multiplication and division with no remainder | No | No |
Fractions and decimals | Fractions and decimals | Fractions and decimals |
Investigate equivalent fractions | * Writing and simplifying mixed numbers and improper fractions * Convert fractions * Compare and order fractions * Adding and subtracting fractions | * Writing and simplifying mixed numbers and improper fractions * Convert fractions * Compare and order fractions * Adding and subtracting fractions * Fraction of a set |
1/4, 1/2, 1/3 | Taught in level 2 | Taught in level 2 |
Fractions and decimal notation up to 2 decimal places | Decimals: * Tenths, hundredths, thousandths * Compare and order decimals * Round decimals * Convert fraction to decimal * Add, subtract, multiply and divide decimals to 2 decimal places | Decimals: * Tenths, hundredths, thousandths * Round decimals * Add, subtract, multiply and divide decimals to 2 decimal places |
Money | Money | Money |
Calculate change to nearest five cents with and without digital technologies | See level 3 | See level 3 |
Patterns and algebra | Patterns and algebra | Patterns and algebra |
* Number patterns from multiplication * Word problems for multiplication and division with no remainder * Find unknowns addition and subtraction | Word problems throughout | Word problems throughout |
Measurement and geometry
Australian Curriculum | New Syllabus Primary Maths | Primary Maths US Ed. |
Measure and compare lengths, masses, capacities and temperatures using scaled instruments | Measures: Multiplication and division of compound units | |
Compare objects using area and volume | Covered in Level 5 | Volume – cubic units |
* Convert between units of time * am and pm | * 24-hour clock * Duration of time (am and pm taught in level 2, reviewed in level 3) | No |
Areas of regular and irregular shapes | * Area and perimeter of squares and rectangles * Area and perimeter of composite figures | * Area and perimeter of squares and rectangles * Area and perimeter of composite figures |
2-dimensional shapes that result from combining and splitting common shapes | Identify and build solid figures | |
Simple scales, legends and directions to interpret a basic map | ||
Symmetrical patterns | Identify and complete symmetric figures | Identify and complete symmetric figures |
* Compare angles * Right angle | * Measure angles * Drawing angles * Right angle * 8-point compass | * Measure angles * Perpendicular and parallel line (Right angles taught in level 3) |
* Properties of squares and rectangles * Drawing squares and rectangles using grid paper |
Statistics and probability
Australian Curriculum | New Syllabus Primary Maths | Primary Maths US Ed. |
Chance regarding events | ||
Methods for data collection, survey questions and recording sheets | ||
Tables, column graphs and picture graphs | Tables and line graphs – read and interpret data | Tables and line graphs – presenting data |
For all our Singapore maths grade level comparisons with the Australian Curriculum and other Singapore maths articles, go to our Singapre Maths Hub.