Mental computation--that is, calculating in the head--is a relatively new topic in mathematics curricula for primary-age children. It is an important skill because it enables children to learn more deeply how numbers work, make decisions about procedures, and create strategies for calculating, thus promoting number sense--a well-developed…

Mathematical computation consists of both written computation and mental computation. The strategies for mental computation can be used to check the reasonableness of written computations. Mental computation has two distinguishing characteristics: "it produces an exact answer, and the procedure is performed mentally, without using external…

Drawing upon research, theory, classroom and personal experiences, this paper focuses on the development of primary-aged children's computational fluency. It emphasises the critical links between number sense and a child's ability to perform mental and written computation. The case of multi-digit multiplication is used to illustrate these…

In this article, the author presents the results of a state project that focused on the effect of developing informal written computation processes through Years 2-4. The "developing computation" project was conducted in Tasmania over the two years 2002-2003 and involved nine schools: five government schools, two Catholic schools, and…