Homeschool FAQ

Please visit our Getting Started page.

Step 1. Learn about our Singapore Math® programs 

Learn more about Dimensions Math and Primary Mathematics to decide on a good fit. 

Step 2. Give your child a placement test 

Not sure which level is right for your child? We offer free placement tests to determine the appropriate starting point. 

Step 3. Find the books and materials you need 

Once you’ve decided on a program and a suitable grade, head to our shop to gather the material to make up a complete school year.  

Step 4. Connect to free resources, news, and our online community 

There are so many ways to stay in the loop and continue learning with Singapore math!  

Connect with other parents and teachers on the Singapore Math user community Facebook group or stay up to date on product releases and more by following us on Instagram.

The Dimensions Math At Home® video subscription covers Dimensions Math Grades 1-6. The subscription is an additional teaching resource and does not replace the core curriculum or physical books.

For video instruction for Dimensions Math Grades 7–8, as well as Primary Mathematics lessons, visit our Online Courses & Tutoring page.

If you’re a parent seeking extra support with math, explore our Online Courses & Tutoring page of Recommended Providers.

Our Dimensions Math eBook platform was designed for the traditional classroom setting and eBooks must be purchased in bulk per classroom. Currently, our eBooks are unavailable for individual purchase for homeschool or charter school situations. We are looking into the possibility of making them available in the future.

In typical U.S. math programs, students get a worked example, then solve problems that very closely follow that example, repeating all the same steps with different numbers. In Singapore math, students must think through concepts and apply them in new ways from the very start. Since they can’t rely on simple replication, students are pushed to greater engagement and broader thinking. In U.S. math programs, concepts and skills are more compartmentalized within and across grade levels than in Singapore math, where a strong sense of connectivity to past learning is woven throughout. Unique Singapore math methods, such as number bonds and bar modeling, also set Singapore math apart from typical U.S. math pedagogical styles.

The Concrete, Pictorial, Abstract (CPA) approach develops a deep understanding of math through building on existing knowledge. This highly effective framework introduces concepts in a tangible way and progresses to increasing levels of abstraction. In the concrete phase, students interact with physical objects to model problems. In the pictorial phase, they make a mental connection between the objects they just handled and visual representations of those objects. For example, real oranges (or counters standing in for oranges) are now represented as drawings of oranges. In the abstract phase, students use symbolic modeling of problems using numbers and math symbols (+, −, ×, ÷). 

By varying the methods and phases of CPA fluidly, educators help reinforce important connections. Students work towards math mastery when they view concepts with increasing levels of abstraction over time. Not all lessons include all three CPA stages as application of this approach varies by topic. Instead, CPA principles are woven throughout the curriculum, and support other important strategies such as number bonds, bar modeling, and mental math.  

Please see What is Singapore Math? to learn about other methods associated with the pedagogy.

Singapore has consistently ranked at the top in international math testing for decades.  

Two international tests, the TIMSS (Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study) and the PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment), assess math and science competency in countries around the world.

• Students who like conceptual and creative problem-solving.
• Students who enjoy a balance of instruction and independent thinking.
• Students who are visually or logically inclined.
  

Most students have the potential to do well with Singapore math if they start early and are guided with dedicated instruction (meaning by educators who have taken the time to learn the content and who are willing to teach with fidelity).

Please see the Dimensions Math PK-5 Overview.

Visit our Scope and Sequence page.

Placement Tests

Lessons in Grades 1-5 are well-defined and follow a consistent sequence. They begin with a problem for discussion, move to an explanation of the concepts, introduce vocabulary, and provide various approaches to solving the problem. This is followed by a set of learning tasks that extend the concept, ending with a set of problems to assess understanding.  

Textbooks and Workbooks include additional problems. Workbooks offer independent practice while maintaining the careful progression of exercise variation. They are where students hone their skills, and are a necessary component of the series. Workbook exercises are differentiated and include basic problems, practice problems, and challenging problems. 

Teacher’s Guides are in full color and include reduced-size versions of Textbook and Workbook pages for easy reference to every lesson. The Teacher’s Guides give more ideas for differentiation and classroom activities.

Home Instructor’s Guides are specifically for teaching Dimensions Math in a one-on-one setting. They include extensive background notes, lesson suggestions, tips, activities, and answer keys.

The school year is divided into two semesters: A and B. There are A and B Textbooks, Workbooks, Teacher’s Guides, and Tests for each grade. Textbooks, Workbooks, Teacher's Guides, and Home Instructor's Guides are necessary to successfully use this program.

Tests are optional. Note that there is only one Tests book for Grade K, and none for Grade PK. There's also an optional Dimensions Math video subscription.

The content was created by our team of teachers and experts with over 100 combined years of Singapore math classroom experience. The series is written, designed, and published by Singapore Math Inc. 

Blackline Masters

View our Sample Pages library.

Educators use either the Home Instructor's Guide or Teacher's Guide. There are many additional resources here: All Dimensions Math PK-5 Resources.

The Dimensions Math At Home® video subscription covers Dimensions Math Grades 1-6. The subscription is an additional teaching resource and does not replace the core curriculum or physical books.

For video instruction for Dimensions Math Grades 7–8, as well as Primary Mathematics lessons, visit our Online Courses & Tutoring page.

Yes, you need both Textbooks and Workbooks to successfully use the Dimensions Math curriculum. They are designed to be used together and the program is incomplete if one is left out. Textbooks introduce concepts and are central to learning and understanding new topics. Workbooks provide practice and independent work, which is essential for solidifying new knowledge. 

Dimensions Math PK–5 is not aligned with the Common Core State Standards. It does cover the standards in its own progression. The few standards not included in the Textbooks (for example, line plots of measurements to fractions of an inch in Grade 3) are covered in the Teacher’s Guides.

Dimensions Math PK–5 Common Core Standards alignments (PDF) 

Please see Dimensions Math 6-8 Overview. The Dimensions Math 6-8 program brings the Singapore math approach to middle school, emphasizing problem solving and empowering students to think mathematically. This rigorous series integrates pre-algebra, algebra, geometry, some trigonometry, and advanced math topics.

Lessons begin with a class activity to encourage discovery. Worked examples of new concepts are followed by similar questions for students to solidify their understanding. 

Exercises include: 

Basic Practice: Simple questions that drill comprehension of concepts

Further Practice: More challenging questions that involve direct application

Challenging Practice: Questions that require synthesis

Maths@Work: Questions that apply mathematical concepts to real world situations

Brainworks and Enrichment: Questions involving higher order thinking or an open-ended approach to problems 

Each chapter in Grades 7-8 is followed by a review exercise. The Extend Your Learning Curve activity encourages students to consider math outside the classroom with questions requiring sentence or paragraph reflections on their learning experiences. 

Grade 6 includes Textbooks, Workbooks, Teacher’s Guides, and Workbook Solutions.  

Grades 7–8 include Textbooks, Workbooks, Teaching Notes and Solutions, and Workbook Solutions.  

Dimensions Math 6-8 meets and exceeds Common Core State Standards. 

Dimensions Math 6-8 Common Core Standards alignments (PDF) 

Dimensions Math 7 and 8 together cover Pre-algebra and Algebra 1 topics, with some geometry. Dimensions Math 6 is aligned with Common Core Standards, and so while it does include some Pre-algebra topics, it is not a Pre-algebra text in the traditional sense. It is a Grade 6 text.

Dimensions Math 7 assumes students are new to Pre-algebra topics, such as integers and simple algebraic equations, but goes farther into Algebra topics than would a traditional Pre-algebra text. Therefore, Dimensions Math 8 has greater expectations for what students have covered previously (particularly with regard to linear equations) than a traditional Algebra 1 text. The two grades, 7 and 8, are meant to be done as a set.

After grade 8, students may move onto Geometry and Algebra 2 programs.

Singapore math programs do not continue beyond Grade 8. Students may move onto Geometry and Algebra 2. We don't have specific recommendations for programs beyond Grade 8.

You will need Dimensions Math Textbooks, Workbooks, and Teacher's or Home Instructor's Guides for the corresponding grade level.

The videos are intended to supplement home or school instruction, and do not replace Home Instructor’s Guides or Teacher’s Guides, which offer complete answer keys, background notes, activities, and more. Since they can be used as student-facing videos, not all problems are worked to completion, which allows students the opportunity to think through problems independently. 

Yes, you still need to have either the Home Instructor's Guide or Teacher's Guide. The video subscription is not a replacement for any of the Dimensions Math books, but rather an additional teaching resource. Not all problems are worked through to completion, including problems that are intended to be used for assessment. This allows and encourages students to work through problems on their own.

If you're concerned about accessing the videos directly through Vimeo's homepage because of thumbnails of suggested content, some of which may not be suitable for children, please bookmark these direct links.

https://vimeo.com/ondemand/dmathome1
https://vimeo.com/ondemand/dmathome2
https://vimeo.com/ondemand/dmathome3
https://vimeo.com/ondemand/dmathome4
https://vimeo.com/ondemand/dmathome5
https://vimeo.com/ondemand/dmathome6

At this time, the access period for our Dimensions Math At Home® video subscriptions is 1 year from the date of purchase. Unfortunately, we do not offer access extensions or monthly access options. You'll need to repurchase the subscription for extended access.

All sales are final, but you may contact Vimeo directly about the possibility of an exchange.

We are considering developing lessons for Grades 7-8 in the future, but they are not currently in production. 

You can also review our Online Courses and Tutors page for potential Dimensions Math Grade 7 and 8 videos.

Please visit the Primary Mathematics Overview and Program Comparison pages.

You can view samples of our major programs here. You may also click the Look Inside tab on each product page for samples. 

Yes, with fully worked solutions for many of the problems. The Home Instructor's Guides and Teacher's Guides have answers for both the Textbooks and Workbooks. They also include lesson notes and suggestions. If you only want answers to the Workbook and Textbook problems, you can get the Answer Key Booklets (there's one for Grades 1–3 and one for Grades 4–5).  

We don’t recommend using the Workbooks by themselves (without the Textbooks) as you and your student will miss most of the core material, explanations, exercises, and teaching notes. 

These titles will be available for purchase through 10/31/2025, or while supplies last. 

As new editions of Primary Mathematics and Dimensions Math have been released over recent years, Primary Mathematics Common Core and its associated materials have been replaced with updated content to best meet the needs of today’s students and educators.

Student Book answer key: Home Instructor's Guide and Teacher's Guide

Additional Practice answer key: Additional Practice Answer Keys

Mastery & Beyond answer key: In back of book

Assessment Guides: Included in the book

Primary Mathematics 2022 Edition is a K-5 program. It is not an update to the previous Primary Mathematics editions (which are all quite similar to each other), but entirely new in content and lesson structure.

Like previous editions of Primary Mathematics, the program builds strong problem solving, critical thinking, and computational skills through Singapore math methods. The scope and sequence is more aligned to U.S. state and national standards, and there is more differentiation opportunity.  

The Home Instructor’s Guide and Assessment Guide (2022 Edition) print books come with access codes for digital resources. Once activated, these codes provide a one-year subscription to MCEduHub – the online resource website for Primary Mathematics 2022.

You may visit singaporemath.com/pmaccess for instructions on how to activate and access the accompanying digital materials.

Primary Mathematics U.S. and Standards Editions will still be available. Primary Mathematics Common Core edition will be sunsetting on 10/31/25.

The core student components are the Student Book (textbook), Additional Practice (workbook), and Mastery & Beyond (distributed practice workbook). Educators need to have either a Home Instructor's Guide or Teacher's Guide. 

The Assessment Guides are optional and are not split into A and B semesters, but cover the full year.

Please see our Program Comparison page for an overview of our core programs, including guidance from our curriculum advisor on which program may be right for you.

Both are highly effective Singapore math programs. Please see the Program Comparison for more information.

They both follow the Singapore math approach, which emphasizes the CPA (Concrete, Pictorial, Abstract) progression, centers the use of number bonds and bar models to solve word problems, and encourages mastery of mental math to gain number sense, computational fluency, and logical thinking.  

You can view samples of our major programs here. You may also click the Look Inside tab on each product page for samples.