Seriously Addictive Mathematics (SAM) is a maths program based on Singapore’s Mathematics curriculum and has ranked highest in terms of standards since 1995, according to the TIMSS survey (TIMSS 2012 – Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study).

The SAM model assists students to understand concepts through a Holistic Multisensory Learning Approach. Trainers engage with students by stimulating their senses and introduce concepts through various props, games and interaction in an environment conducive to learning. Once the concept is introduced then the concept is reinforced through practice. This is achieved through the specially designed worksheets. The students learn new concepts at the SAM centres and reinforce the concepts by practising the worksheets at the centres and at home.

S.A.M is an enrichment centre rather than a tuition centre. The emphasis is on thinking and problem solving, rather than merely computation and rote learning. Doing well in maths is not just about memorizing formulas, and step-by-step solutions. Students must now understand and analyse problems, and apply heuristics, meta-cognitive and critical thinking skills. Merely being able to compute and use formulas is not enough to score well in Maths. To achieve this higher-order form of cognitive thinking, children are trained in the visualization of problem constructs, using bar models to represent components in math problems. Such techniques allow students to better understand the problems, which increases their ability to solve them.

SAM is about teaching children maths in the most effective, yet structured manner. The worksheets have been meticulously authored to provide a “step up” approach. The child will approach the subject with incremental levels of difficulty, gradually acquiring the skills to solve full problem sums.