Mental math is often associated with the ability to do
computations quickly, but in its broadest sense, mental math also involves
conceptual understanding and problem solving.
If we can instill various strategies of mental math at an early age,
then our students will be empowered to see numbers and perform mathematics at a
much higher level simply because they have an understanding of how numbers
work. Because most of the teaching generation were not taught these wonderful
skills, we must take the steps necessary to learn how to use mental math and apply it to our learning. In essence, the teacher must deepen his/her understanding in order
to teach! The following videos demonstrate
various mental math strategies that we (as teachers) can use as a tool to learn
the mental math strategies we must instill in our students.
The Kansas Career and Ready Standards are infused with "mental math" throughout the grade levels, so we cannot simply "teach" the lesson and then consider you have done your part. Once we as teachers understand and can apply these strategies, we must infuse them in our classrooms so that it becomes second nature to both us and our students!Take some time and learn just one method and then try it in your classroom. Continue using it while you are learning another method. The following videos are simple and short and therefore a good place to get started!
This link will take you to another page of resources.
The Kansas Career and Ready Standards are infused with "mental math" throughout the grade levels, so we cannot simply "teach" the lesson and then consider you have done your part. Once we as teachers understand and can apply these strategies, we must infuse them in our classrooms so that it becomes second nature to both us and our students!Take some time and learn just one method and then try it in your classroom. Continue using it while you are learning another method. The following videos are simple and short and therefore a good place to get started!
This link will take you to another page of resources.
What does place-value have to do with mental math? Let's find out...
Math Magician Series
Introduce Place Value
Day 1
Subtraction
Multiplication
Lesson 1
Lesson 2
Lesson 3