Once you are familiar with the first few methods for doing mental math, you may find that you enjoy this one the best of all!
If you are teaching mental math to children, give them many problems of one type until they become proficient in that particular way of doing mental math. Then show them another way until they can do it in their heads – without manipulatives. Keep doing this until you have shown them all the methods or until they are quick enough with one method that they don’t need others. Let them choose which method they prefer. None is better than any other.
Most children can be taught mental math strategies once they have their facts to 10 memorized – somewhere between Kindergarten and 2nd grade. Mental math is an excellent way to build and ensure number sense!
This free math tutoring video shows another way to do math in your head! This is my 6-year-old’s preferred method. She even came up with it on her own! Look through all my mental math videos, try out all the methods, and decide what your favorite is!
If you are teaching mental math to children, give them many problems of one type until they become proficient in that particular way of mental math. Then show them another way until they can do it in their heads – without manipulatives. Keep doing this until you have shown them all the methods or until they are quick enough with one method that they don’t need others. Let them choose which method they prefer. None is better than any other.
Most children can be taught mental math strategies once they have their facts to 10 memorized – somewhere between Kindergarten and 2nd grade. Mental math is an excellent way to build and ensure number sense!
This free math tutoring video shows the “WHY” behind the traditional subtraction algorithm normally taught in 2nd grade in the USA. Many children don’t understand what is happening in the algorithm that they are expected to memorize. Because of this, they can’t remember the steps and get confused and frustrated. Doing these types of problems with manipulative many times while also doing it on paper will help those kids who struggle as well as help those who don’t struggle with the memory task to actually understand what they are doing. You can use a Base Ten set in place of Cuisenaire Rods, but C-rods are quicker and, therefore, more enjoyable.
