Mental Maths Starter book
Mental Maths Series
on Goodreads (5)
What’s inside...
The Mental Maths Starter Book helps develop pupils' mental skills through a variety of inventive ways. It provides practice for mental mathematics and encourages children to think about all aspects of number. The book includes questions of recall involving all areas of the mathematics curriculum, basic mental manipulation, and intriguing problems to fascinate children.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
7-9
Length
33 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What was one math problem in the book that you found interesting and why?
How would you use the math skills you learned today in real life?
Can you think of a different way to solve one of the problems we read about?
What do you think is the most important thing this book teaches about math?
How do you feel when you figure out a math problem on your own?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to explain their reasoning aloud as this reinforces their understanding and confidence in math.
Relate mathematical problems to real-life scenarios that your child encounters to make learning more relevant and fun.
Celebrate all efforts, not just correct answers, to build a positive attitude towards math challenges.
Use manipulatives like blocks or coins to visualize math problems, making abstract concepts more concrete and understandable for your child.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Problem-solving Skills
Explanation: The book presents various math challenges that require logical thinking and problem-solving strategies.
Real-World Application: Children can apply these skills to solve everyday problems, such as figuring out how to share toys equally among friends or determining the amount of ingredients needed for a recipe.
Example Lesson: Importance of Practice
Explanation: Each page encourages repeated practice to master different math concepts, reinforcing the idea that practice leads to improvement.
Real-World Application: This lesson teaches children the value of consistent effort in school subjects, sports, or learning a musical instrument.
Example Lesson: Confidence in Math
Explanation: By progressively building on previous challenges, the book helps children gain confidence in their mathematical abilities as they successfully complete exercises.
Real-World Application: This increased confidence can encourage children to participate more actively in class and tackle new challenges with a positive mindset.
Example Lesson: Time Management
Explanation: Some exercises in the book are timed, teaching children the importance of working within constraints.
Real-World Application: Children learn to manage their time effectively, a skill that is crucial for completing homework, chores, or managing their free time.