SECONDARY 1 REGULAR MATHEMATICS PROGRAMME
Most Secondary One students face the following challenges with Secondary Mathematics:
- Unsure of how to manipulate algebraic expressions correctly
- Unable to apply concepts into real-world problems
- Lack the ability to present written solution clearly
From our experience…
- Many Secondary One students lose out on setting a strong foundation for Mathematics when they think that they can relax during Secondary One.
- Many parents and students are unaware that Secondary school Mathematics can be very different from Primary school Mathematics?
Why your child needs help with Secondary One Mathematics right now
➡️ The methods that Primary students are so well-trained in, like Model Drawing, Guess-and-Check, Assumption…etc, are no longer accepted in Secondary Mathematics.
➡️ In Primary Mathematics, the focus is on basic numeracy skills (whole numbers, fractions, decimals and percentage) and the application of the various heuristics in problem solving. However, the required content knowledge of terminologies, theorems and formulae are limited.
➡️ In Secondary Mathematics, if students are unfamiliar with the important mathematical facts, they will find it impossible to try to “figure-it-out” during exams.
➡️ A weak foundation for Secondary One Mathematics will make the rest of your child’s Secondary Mathematics journey an uphill task.
At Cognitus Academy, we focus on giving the students a strong foundation to thrive through the transition from primary to secondary mathematics. Our students will get to develop a keen interest in abstract mathematical concepts, learn how to present the solutions coherently and strengthen their skills and techniques in solving the questions efficaciously.
Conquering Mathematics through the DEPTH Framework
Our curriculum methodology provides 5 key elements to help students learn effectively during our Mathematics lessons.
This framework evaluates students’ current ability, helps to clear doubts, and expose students to exam-based questions.
Our curriculum structure includes asking probing questions in class to encourage students to explore, discover and build their confidence in Mathematics.
Deepened Curriculum, Heightened Learning
Apart from what is learnt from the school syllabus, students will develop a deeper insight into the curriculum. Understanding the core concepts deeply will also enhance students’ ability to apply heuristics to handle higher-order thinking questions.
Eliminated Errors and Misconceptions
Drills and practices develop fluency and heighten students’ awareness of their carelessness when solving Mathematics questions. Training students to understand their own tendencies greatly improves the accuracy of their calculations.
Practical and Authentic (Real World) Mathematics Teasers
Learning out of real-world context requires abstract thinking. This requirement stumps some students who need to see concrete examples. Students will learn to link Mathematics to authentic real-world problems, enhancing their number sense and conceptual development.
Think Critically and Mathematically
Thinking critically requires habits of mind and problem-solving skills. Merging critical and mathematical thinking makes the learning of Mathematics exciting and engaging. Learning Mathematics in this way unlocks the fun and challenging aspects of the subject.
Honed Precision
With carefully selected tasks for each lesson, students will learn how to be quick and accurate in their computations. Beyond procedural accuracy, students will also develop structural thinking that provides repeatable steps for analysing non-routine questions.
Developing Concepts in Secondary One
Our Secondary One Mathematics Programme focuses on building foundations for acquiring critical knowledge, sharpening critical thinking skills and applying concepts effectively.
Acquire Knowledge
➡️ Learn about the number systems based on their properties
➡️ Explore the concept of algebraic variables and learn how the relationship between the variables can be represented in algebraic and graphical forms
➡️ Learn the terminologies related to finance, such as interests, instalments, utilities bills, personal income tax and exchange rates
➡️ Discover the geometrical properties and formulae of polygons
Sharpen Skills
➡️ Use prime factorisation method to find the highest common factor and lowest common multiple of numbers
➡️ Acquire basic mathematics skills, such as Rounding Off based on Significant Figures, Arithmetic and Algebraic Manipulations and Statistical Data Handling
➡️ Learn to represent and convey mathematical ideas through the use of algebra and other mathematical symbols
➡️ Master the forming of algebraic equations in a wide array of real-world context and solve the equations using a systematic and logical approach
Apply Concepts
➡️ Differentiate word problems involving highest common factor and lowest common multiple of numbers
➡️ Apply the four operations of real numbers involving temperatures, heights above and below sea levels
➡️ Apply the terminologies and formulae related to finance, 2-D and 3-D figures into solving problems in real-world contexts
Secondary One Mathematics Topics
Our Secondary One Mathematics programme is modelled closely to the latest MOE syllabus.
We will be covering the following topics in our lessons:
| Topics |
|---|
| Prime Numbers, Highest Common Factor, Lowest Common Multiple |
| Number System and Real numbers |
| Approximation and Estimation |
| Algebra Manipulation and Factorisation |
| Linear Equations and Inequalities |
| Linear Graphs |
| Patterns |
| Percentage, Ratio, Rate, Speed |
| Geometry and Construction |
| Perimeter, Area and Volume |
| Statistics: Mean Median Mode |
| Algebraic Identities |
| Expansion and Factorisation of Quadratic |
| Quadratic Equations |
Termly Assessment
Our students come from a range of different schools with different academic cultures.
Do you know how your child compares with another student from a different school?
We conduct termly assessments for our students to assess their current progress and see where they stand relative to their classmates from different schools.
Our tests comprise of the most challenging questions from past year exams and will be able to diagnose students' weaknesses. From there, we will reinforce Mathematical skills and exam strategies.
Our Teaching Team
Cognitus Academy takes pride in helping our students achieve breakthroughs in their results.
We are able to do that because of the strong team that we have built to teach, organise and administer our robust Mathematics programmes.
Having been a teacher trainer at the National Institute of Education (NIE), Dr Daniel Chua has not only crafted a solid curriculum for our students, but also an effective training programme for our teachers.
At Cognitus Academy, teachers form the foundation of our Mathematics programmes. Prospective teachers are screened meticulously and undergo a rigorous 3-month training programme to develop core competencies of a teacher. Teaching interns also develop academic and philosophical roots in their pedagogy by studying the relevant materials in-depth and observing senior teachers in action before they enter the classrooms to teach.
After the completion of formal training, new teachers will continue to go through robust training and meet regularly to sharpen their problem-solving skills, explore innovative and effective curriculum for students, and refine teaching methods to enhance the students' mastery of the subject.
Our curriculum and pedagogy are continuously refined and updated in accordance with the changes in the education system by our curriculum team comprising of ex-MOE teachers, Heads of Department, Senior Teachers, PSLE markers and experienced Cognitus teachers.
Interested to find out if Cognitus Academy's Secondary Regular Mathematics Programme fits your child's learning needs?
All new students are offered an immersion session to get a taste of the quality teaching and engagement in our classrooms.
✅ Students should email us their recent test papers in advance for our teachers to look through. A 15-minute pre-lesson diagnostic assessment will be scheduled with the student.
✅ Experience our teachers’ lively and engaging classroom teaching, as they optimise student engagement and provide easily comprehensible instructions in our immersion session.
✅ Evaluation of the student’s learning in class will be given to parents after the immersion session.
Class Size
In order to optimise precious time in every lesson, we have kept our class sizes small. Small class sizes ensure that every student gets the attention from their teachers and have meaningful interaction among classmates and teachers. Such a setting is conducive for clarifying doubts and sharing different points of view.
The DEPTH Framework develops critical thinking and takes time to master. Although some students see improvement right away, most will take 2-3 months to see results.
In order to help your child improve his/her Mathematics results as soon as possible, schedule an immersion session with us today!
Additional support for Members of our Community
Apart from delivering the strongest Mathematics curriculum possible, what else can we do to add value to our students? While we will never stop innovating, we are currently supplementing our Mathematics courses with the following package we like to call Cognitus Plus.
Cognitus Online
Our very own student portal, Cognitus Online, provides supplementary materials and past exam papers for students to practise. This is a portal that not only supports our online students but, also our students attending physical classes.
To learn more about Cognitus Online, click READ MORE.
Blog
Our Blog pages feature study tips, exam techniques and model compositions to support our students and parents.
To learn more about blog, click READ MORE.
Good strategies will only be able to transform students' results if they are motivated
Your child may have been attending Mathematics tuition but has not been seeing improvement.
Why is that so?
The fact is, the lessons your child has been attending are not pitched according to his/her level of readiness.
If students are unable to grasp the lesson, forcing them to finish their Mathematics assignments demotivates them.
If the lessons are too simple, your child will be bored and unmotivated.
At Cognitus Academy, our programme is crafted to MEET every child’s level of readiness and motivate them to achieve their FULL potential.
Through our own passion for the subject, our trained and experienced teachers ignite students’ LOVE and INTEREST in Mathematics.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cognitus Academy applies the DEPTH Framework where we ensure that learning does not simply come from drill and practice. DEPTH Framework focuses on real-life application of Mathematics and problem-solving skills. We follow a structured lesson plan where students apply their knowledge in bite-size practices and move on to problem sums to build their confidence. Students who are strong in Mathematics will be stretched through practices with non-routine questions.
Our diagnostic process starts from learning the needs of every student. Once we have identified the main cause of the student’s error, we will embark on a remediation plan that runs parallel with our regular lessons. Students often struggle because of conceptual misunderstanding, lack of comprehension for the question, lack of confidence and carelessness. From there, we will focus on the best course of remediation for your child.
One key foundation in the DEPTH Framework is the ability to connect mathematical concepts with real-life examples. Starting from the concrete application of Mathematics, your child can then develop understanding in using abstract (numbers and models) forms of presentation for their interpretation and solution of each question. Our experienced teachers will also pace your child towards success by helping them to create small victories that lead to big success in Mathematics.
Certainly! The purpose of conducting a small-class Mathematics tuition is to create a structured, yet individualised learning experience for our students. Please send all your child’s questions from school and individual practices our way.
Each lesson runs for 120 minutes.
– For the first 15 minutes, we will go through corrections from previous homework. This step is critical in helping students correct misconceptions.
– The remaining part of the lesson will focus on problem sums where students are taught effective and efficient steps to solve higher-order thinking questions.
90% of the IP/IB Mathematics topics are similar to that of the O level Mathematics. Our programmes are created to teach our students the concepts and to stretch them further to higher order thinking. Hence, IP/IB students will continue to feel engaged during lessons while the O level students’ potential are stretched.
Still can’t decide which Mathematics Programme to enrol in?
We understand that choosing the right programme is an important decision because we have worked with hundreds of parents who are just as concerned as you about their child’s results. If you would like to discuss your needs with one of our curriculum specialists, fill out the form below and we will be in touch with you.