Elementary math teachers from Security Bank Foundation, Inc.’s (SBFI) beneficiary schools in Visayas and Mindanao were trained on the Singapore math method during the Year 2 of the Mentoring Future Leaders for Nation-Building training program at the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu on July 15-19, 2024.  

 The training was facilitated by Ng Swee Fong, a former Associate Professor of Mathematics at the National Institute of Education in Singapore. The teachers learned how to use images, manipulatives, and storytelling to enable students to visualize abstract mathematical concepts. Training activities included the use of a balancing toy to understand balancing of equations, the use of number lines to illustrate odd and even numbers, and the use of stories of animals to teach the concepts of sorting, sequencing, addition, subtraction, and problem solving.  

 Teachers were also trained to use the ‘prompt, probe, and wonder why technique’ to challenge students’ critical thinking skills.  

 The Year 2 in-person training was capped with a demo teaching where teachers presented a Math concept applying the strategies they have learned. Throughout the training, Ng emphasized that “as a teacher, you may understand the math concepts and know the answers, but if you cannot properly communicate your thoughts in precise terms that all children will understand, then you will never be effective as a teacher.”  

Teachers received training certificates and teaching aids including a set of manipulatives, an equalizer (the balancing toy), cat puzzles, fraction tiles, and a chart. 

 The session ended with a call from SBFI Chairman Rafael Simpao, Jr., who discussed learnings from the Year 2 program, teaching methodologies, and plans to help improve students’ proficiencies in mathematics and English. 

 To learn more about SBFI’s programs and how you can contribute, visit www.securitybank.com/foundation.