Background to mental maths
'All teachers of mathematics should:
adopt more interactive and participative methods ...
follow the advice in 5-14 guidelines to increase the attention paid to mental calculation by giving pupils regular opportunities to practise skills, discuss methods and be shown how to use efficient approaches.'
There has been an increased concentration on mental work and on mental methods of calculation over the past 12 years since the publication of Mathematics: 5-14 National Guidelines. The connection between teaching and learning strategies and the development of numeracy skills and the use of direct and interactive teaching and learning methods has been emphasised.
The following two booklets have been published by Learning and Teaching Scotland.
Numeracy Counts
This document provides early education practitioners with information to enhance their knowledge and understanding of early numeracy and gives practical examples of how to work with young children to develop their skills.
Numeracy CountsThinking Numbers
This document is concerned with the place of oral and mental work within the Scottish mathematics curriculum. It contains material dealing with mental work and a number of staff discussion and workshop activities.
Local authority material
A number of local authorities have responded to the comments regarding mental numeracy and mental calculation. The document, Guidelines for Raising Attainment in Mental Numeracy Skills, was prepared and published by The Highland Council, Comhairle na Gaidhealtachd, and gives an indication of the targets that should be met by children at the various levels of 5-14. The section shown indicates some Level B targets. The whole document is available from the Highland Council. Some examples from other local authorities appear on other pages of this section.
Guidelines for Raising Attainment in Mental Numeracy Skills
Information for parents
Inverclyde Council has issued leaflets for parents of primary school pupils to let them know what to expect when their children talk about mental mathematics. This is also intended to let the parents know what content, strategies and skills their children will be learning. These can be accessed below.