To appreciate the importance of developing pupils’ confidence and skills
in mental mathematics and how this contributes to their understanding of
number.
, Core Mathematics Learning Episode 2.1
To appreciate that pupils need to develop a range of mental strategies as
well as quick recall of number facts.
To know that there are a range of commonly used strategies and that
good teaching can help pupils adopt these strategies.
Why teach mental maths?
It is statutory
Most calculations are done in the head in everyday life
Contributes to improved problem-solving skills
Develops effective ‘number sense’
Improves estimation skills
Theoretically, it should help children progress towards informal
written methods and then standard methods
Helps to develop conceptual understanding so they know why they
are using a particular method rather than just using it procedurally
Thompson, 2010.
National Curriculum: Aim 1
The first aim of the national curriculum is for pupils to:
“become fluent in the fundamentals of mathematics, including through
varied and frequent practice with increasingly complex problems over
time, so that pupils have conceptual understanding.”
National curriculum (2014)
KS1 – ensure that pupils develop confidence and mental fluency with
whole numbers, counting and place value. This should involve working
with numerals, words and the four operations, including with practical
resources.
Lower KS2 – ensure that pupils become increasingly fluent with whole
numbers and the four operations, including number facts and the concept
of place value. This should ensure that pupils develop efficient written and
mental methods and perform calculations accurately with increasingly
large whole numbers.
Upper KS2 – pupils should develop their ability to solve a wider range of
problems, including increasingly complex properties of numbers and
arithmetic, and problems demanding efficient written and mental methods
of calculation
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