Mental Computation in the Middle Grades: The Importance of Thinking Strategies

Abstract

At the primary-grades level, the benefits of developing and using mental strategies for computing have been well articulated (see, e.g., Beberman (1959); Brownell [1972); Cobb and Merkel [1989]: Kamii [1989]; Reys and Barger [1994): Shuard [1987); Trafton [1978)), and many primary-grades teachers are now encouraging students to invent and use thinking strategies as a way to facilitate their development of number sense. They are also dealing with the practical implications of implementing this approach to computation, which is very different from the traditional. rule-oriented, procedural approach to computation. At the middle-grades level, however, comparatively Little discussion related to the same issue has occurred. At this level, should students be encouraged to invent mental strategies for computing? Should standard written algorithms for computing continue to be taught? How does an emphasis on thinking strategies relate to the current emphasis on using the calculator as an efficient tool for computation?