What are mental strategies?
In Year 3 we have been working on our mental strategies with addition and subtraction.
Good mental calculation is
characterised by having many strategies. Sometimes, particular numbers suit
particular strategies. Sometimes strategy selection is guided by personal
preferences, or special number combinations that a student happens to spot.
Mental strategies are not carried out like written algorithms. Instead, students need to choose them and adjust them to suit the
calculation.
Having an understanding of mental strategies and estimation is
very important for everyday life. Mental strategies and estimation are also
important as a learning device because they allow students to practise and
discuss fundamental number properties and build number sense.
CHALLENGE
Post in the comment section or upload photos of your maths task set in your homework this week. What mental strategies did you use to help you find the answer?
Children's Blog
In class we have been improving our mental strategies for addition and subtraction problems. Mental strategies can also help us with multiplication and division. We use mental strategies so that we can figure out the answer quicker. Then it is easier to do math!!!! It also helps us improve our maths. There are lots of different strategies we can use:
- Skip and jump counting
- Chunking
- Empty number line
- Compensation
Here are some photos of us using our mental strategies and posters that help us.
Year Three I am so impressed with your use of mental strategies, especially the compensation strategy. Go Year Three!
ReplyDeleteI used inverse operation and compensation strategies in my answer.
Delete60+60+5+9=134
Inverse operation
134-9-5-60= 60
compensation
130-5-9-60+4=60
Great work dude!!!!!!!!!!!!!
DeleteBlake.
I am so impressed James. You alwaus try to extend yourself. Great work
DeleteThese mental strategies help us and keep us on track. We learn maths every day with these strategies.
ReplyDeleteHi Peter, Do you have a strategy you use all the time?
DeleteI like to round my numbers because I find it easier to solve problems then.
60+40+20+7=127
Delete127-60-40-7=20
I rounded my numbers to get my answer.
Yeah Peter. It makes it a lot easier doesn't it? You are doing so well
DeleteHi everyone, for my maths I have used compensation on a numberline and chunking to find some solutions. I checked my answers using the inverse operation! I did four solutions.
ReplyDeleteBlake.
Hi Blake,
DeleteIt sounds like you are improving your mathematical skills by using the different strategies. I can't wait to see how fast you have become at working out answers when I get back.
Great job Blake!!! I love that you are using the inverse operation. This is something I always use to double check my answers.
ReplyDeleteHi everyone for maths I did chunking I also used empty number line to check I used inverse operation!!!
ReplyDeleteWow I am so impressed Year Three. You are so clever!
ReplyDeleteHi Everyone,
ReplyDeleteFor Maths, i used inverse operation:
20+114=134 and 134-20=114
Elodie West (3S)
Well done Elodie. That is really clever of you. And a good way of improving your subtraction and addition strategies.
Delete