I am a maths tutor with 18 years' experience and a masters in mathematics from University of Cambridge and another masters in Instructional Design from NIE.


you can call things by different names. of all the theories and methods I have read and personally used and personally taught, everything boils down to patient, systematic logical thinking. However, just to clear things up:-

Unit Transfer Method is a type of
Model (or Bar Diagram), which is a type of
Heuristic (guidelines / tips / tactics) for solving problems

There is also Metacognition, which is stated in the Singapore Mathematics Framework, but most teachers don't (don't know how to / don't bother to) teach.

In my blog, I have two worked examples showing not only the working but also the full problem-solving processes using on Heuristics (problem solving tactics and guidelines) and Metacognition (self-monitoring).

http://genuinesingaporemaths.blogspot.com/2012/01/p6hq2000s46-ratio-proportion-and.html
http://genuinesingaporemaths.blogspot.com/2012/01/p6hqwn001-whole-numbers-before-vs-after.html

i seldom post about primary school stuff, and i do this blog during my free time. However, if you have desperate questions, you can always email me at the link given on the right column of the blog.

@atutor2001


Primary school mathematics is harder in a sense: you are like fighting with bare hands (e.g. you normally don’t use algebra, but bar model diagrams). Secondary and JC mathematics is like fighting with knives and guns – it’s easier to ‘kill’, but you have to learn how to use the weapons first.