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