TARGET AUDIENCE: GRADES 7-12 TEACHERS AND MATH COACHES ARE ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND
In this 2-part webinar we will explore various strategies for teaching and strengthening mental math abilities. Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication and Division will be covered up to 4 digit numbers. The purpose of emphasizing these mental math skills with your students is to enable the visualization happens with mental calculations. Through practice of these strategies in your classroom, students will become more flexible in their abilities to work with number operations, with the various number systems explored in Division 3 and 4.
Another nice consequence of building mental mathematics skills is the increase in number sense. Number sense lies in the foundation of mathematics. One who has number sense embodies the ability to be flexible with the many ways to work with numbers, perceive number operations, and ability to understand alternate pathways in problem solving. “Mental mathematics is a combination of cognitive strategies that enhance flexible thinking and number sense. It involves using strategies to perform mental calculations. Mental Mathematics enables students to determine answers without paper and pencil. It improves computational fluency by developing efficiency, accuracy and flexibility in reasoning and calculating.” (Alberta Education Mathematics Program of Studies, 2008, p.5)
It is never too late to teach these skills and exercise our brains as well! No matter what grade you are teaching, these are important strategies to model and emphasize with our students. So, please bring your paper and pencil….and be prepared to truly try the number operations without these tools!
This learning opportunity is being offered through curriculum implementation funding from Alberta Education