ABSTRACT
What is 75 – 38? How would you approach this calculation? Would you immediately reach for pencil and paper and carry out a standard written algorithm, would you use a mental method such as counting on, or would you work mentally and make jottings of your working as you go along? Do you have any pictures or images in your head as you work? In many ways it doesn’t really matter how you approach the calculation since you will have worked out an efficient way of working for yourself. However when we are working with children we want to help them work towards efficient ways of calculating so that they are not prevented from exploring mathematics because their methods of calculation are long and time-consuming activities. In order to do this we need to start with a recognition of pupils’ own strategies and work through these towards more efficient ways of working.
