This fourth book in the Mathematics Recovery series equips teachers with detailed pedagogical knowledge and resources for teaching number to 7 to 11-year olds. Drawing on extensive programs of research, curriculum development, and teacher development, the book offers a coherent, up-to-date approach emphasizing computational fluency and the…

The history of mental computation in the elementary school curriculum is briefly described, followed by discussion of the benefits of mental computation. How thinking skills are enhanced is then illustrated. (MNS)

Computation activities focusing on speed and accuracy do not provide children with the opportunity to learn or develop their own mental computation strategies. Sets out some goals and ideas for teaching mental computation and introduces a card game for helping children compute mentally. (ASK)

Begins with a definition of mental computation and then provides an overview of its evolution during the twentieth century. Significant benefits from teaching mental computation are highlighted, along with a framework and guidelines for instructing elementary school students. A parallel discussion is also provided for computational estimation. (RH)

Use of compatible numbers resulting in easy mental computations is described, along with related teaching and testing tips. (MNS)

Using factoring as an aid to mental multiplication is illustrated. Other suggestions for teaching mental computation are also included. (MNS)

Activities on estimation and mental computation are presented. Patterns on a hundred chart, an amazing fact, teaching and testing tips, and other references are included. (MNS)

What mental computation and estimation are, what is known from research about each process, and what can help students develop these skills are discussed. (MNS)

Strategies for rapid mental computation are explained, including multiplying by 11 (or 21, 31, etc.); adding columns of numbers; and multiplying 2-digit numbers. Rapid mental computation is suggested as a motivator for investigating the underlying mathematical principles. (DB)

Research has established that children's development of addition and subtraction skills progresses through a hierarchy of strategies that begin with counting-by-one methods through to flexible mental strategies using a combination of knowledge of basic facts and understanding of place value. An important transition point is the shift from the…

A program is given which offers students a chance to practice mental computation and judge the effects of various rules for formating output. (MNS)

Included in this section are brief articles outlining an approach to teaching mental computation, an inductive approach to algebra, and using football to teach probability. (MNS)

A range of estimation techniques are described, and a series of mental computation procedures based on concepts of measurement and real numbers are presented in detail. (MP)

This yearbook responds to the growing recognition among mathematics educators of the importance of teaching and learning estimation. It makes a strong case for the importance of estimation in such domains as numerosity, computation, and measurement. An important theme is the interdependency between the process of estimating in a particular domain…

Presents a modified version of the Wheel of Fortune game for mathematics classrooms that engages students in solving equations by using formal and informal methods. Encourages mental computation and estimation. (ASK)