This Sunday, Tr. Roger conducted an engaging and thought-provoking open class for P2 students, themed “Winning Strategy.”
The lesson focused on an Olympiad-style topic often seen in lower-primary Math competitions — winning strategy problems. The atmosphere was lively and focused; through a series of simple yet intriguing games, students learned how to use reverse thinking to uncover winning patterns and develop logical reasoning in a fun and natural way.
1. Classroom Recap
At the start of the class, Tr. Roger introduced the games that they would be playing that day! The rules were simple: there were a total number of items with two players taking turns to pick a certain number each round. No players were allowed to skip turns and whoever picks the last item wins (or loses!).
The challenge — How can you make sure you always win?
Tr. Roger guided the students step by step and explained the key method for solving such problems — Working Backwards. Students were taught to first imagine taking the final item, then trace the game in reverse from that winning position. To secure a win, they must anticipate every possible move their opponent might make, which helps reveal a consistent total number of items to be taken each round. This allows students to determine whether it is better to start first or go later, and how many items to make each turn in conjuction with the opponent to guarantee victory.
After understanding the logic behind the first game, Tr. Roger led the class through three more game variations with different values and rules, each reinforcing the same strategic reasoning process.
As the lesson went on, the atmosphere grew energetic! Students eagerly raised their hands to share their thoughts and joined in the discussion with great enthusiasm, finding each new game more exciting than the last. Through repeated practice, they became familiar with the idea of thinking backwards and experienced the fun of uncovering patterns behind strategy problems.
Throughout the class, Tr. Roger constantly interacted with the students by asking questions, explaining the concept, and guiding them through corrections to ensure everyone could follow the logic clearly.
Toward the end of the session, he also set aside time for one-on-one guidance, helping students who still had questions to clarify their understanding and wrap up the day’s learning on a satisfying note.
This P2 Open Class not only helped students grasp the thinking process behind “winning strategy” problems, but also allowed them to experience the joy of reasoning and logical thinking!
2. About the Teacher
Tr. Roger is currently a Mathematics Teacher at Kangaroo Study. Born and raised in Singapore, he brings with him a strong foundation of leadership, discipline, and academic excellence. While new to the teaching profession, these qualities equip him to guide students with both care and clarity. From his school years, Tr. Roger has consistently demonstrated outstanding achievement. At Bishan Park Secondary School, he served as President of the Student Council, leading school-wide initiatives and collaborating closely with students and parents. Later, at Yishun Junior College, he was elected Vice President of the Student Leaders' Council, where he spearheaded orientation camps, peer-led learning initiatives, and cross-cultural programs that boosted student confidence and performance.
At the university level, Tr. Roger graduated from Nanyang Technological University with a Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) with Honors. He earned an A+ for his Final-Year Project, reflecting his perseverance and dedication to excellence. Beyond academics, he served his National Service with excellence, receiving the Singapore Police Force (SPF) Service Champion Award in 2020 at the Woodlands East Neighborhood Police Center for his outstanding service.
These experiences shaped Tr. Roger's teaching philosophy, which guides his development as an educator:
Curiosity drives learning: Students should first discover the “why” behind concepts.
Clarity builds confidence: Breaking down complex problems into simple, relatable steps helps students learn effectively.
Habits shape growth: With consistent discipline, reflection, and practice, students build resilience that extends beyond mathematics.
As a trainee, Tr. Roger has reflected deeply on the challenges of teaching lower primary (P1–P2) Mathematics Olympiad students. He recognizes that at this age, students are still building foundational skills, so Olympiad problem-solving must remain engaging, accessible, and non-intimidating. His approach is to use real-life relatable examples, visuals, toys, and analogies to make learning both fun and meaningful.
If you are interested in better understanding Tr. Roger's teaching style, check out these lessons he recorded on YouTube:
Video 1: P2 MO Challenge on Long Calculation Using Grouping
Video 2: P2 MO Challenge on Finding Actual Answer from Mistake in Digit Place
3. What's Next?
Scan the QR code below to join our P2 WhatsApp Study Group for the latest updates on learning resources, events, and course information!
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