Five Keys for Learning Mental Math

This is (part 2 of 3 for) a presentation by Jim Olsen and Dan Van Wetering given 10/16/2009 at the ICTM (Ill. Council of Teachers of Mathematics) Conference in Peoria, IL.

1. Students see the importance and 
usefulness of mental math.
2. Students make good decisions 
about the calculation method to use. 
3. Students learn strategies for mental math.
4. Students practice the
mental math strategies.
5. Students have a mindset of mental math,
in which they have an expectation of 
and belief in mental math.  
Five Keys for Learning Mental Math
Five Reasons Why Mental Math (and paper-and-pencil)
are Important and Useful
1. Mental math and paper-and-pencil methods can be faster than technology, if you have an efficient strategy.  

2. Use of technology (and paper) may not be available or appropriate.

3. Mental math and paper-and-pencil methods help understanding of the material and learning new concepts.

4. Mental math leads to fluency and confidence.  

5. It will be on the test.  

This is text.