In the New Alberta Mathematics Program of Studies, mental mathematics is listed as an outcome in the number strand section. The implication is that it is new to this program of studies and now teachers must teach it to their students. However, mental mathematics is not new and teachers all over the world, for decades have been teaching mental mathematics, allbeit, perhaps not in this structured, detailed manner.
Fortunately, in the particluars of the program outcomes, there is a list of strategies that students can learn to help them use mental mathematics when they solve problems or answer math questions. Memorization of the basic facts is not one of the strategies mentioned, which is suprising. Why is this?
Here is a website I found that has some online games that students can play
to assist them with practicing 'mental math' using the memorization strategy. Check it out http://www.vectorkids.com/.
My question to you, teachers, is what are you doing to teach mental mathematics in your primary classroom?
Since teaching is an ongoing daily event, I will keep you posted on what I am doing to teach mental math.
Liza
