New Wave Mental
What is New wave mentals?
• New wave mentals is a six-book mental
mathematics series for Australian primary school
students.
• The series provides a daily activity set of mental
maths problems covering all areas of the
mathematics curriculum.
The series provides a daily mental maths activity set covering all
areas of the mathematics curriculum.
Sample of daily activity set in New
wave mentals
(taken from New wave mentals E)
Supplementary maths facts pages are placed at the back of the book to
assist students having difficulties with particular facts. These maths
facts are pin pointed to the children’s academic level.
Maths facts page in New wave mentals
(taken from New wave mentals C)
• At the conclusion of the week the test comprises of concepts
presented during the week.
• Weekly test do not commence until Book D. Books B and C include
five daily activity sets. Formal testing is not seen as appropriate at
this age.
• Assessment data can be gathered from the daily activity sets.
Friday tests in New
wave mentals
(taken from New wave
mentals D)
Answer page and student record in
New wave mentals
(taken from New wave mentals D)
New wave mentals teachers guide
• The New wave mentals teachers guide provides
supporting documentation for implementing the
program and assessing students’ mathematical
progress.
Support material in
New wave mentals teachers guide
Support material in
New wave mentals teachers guide
Support material in
New wave mentals teachers guide
The importance of Mental Computation
• Mental computation is the foremost
computational skill used in society.
• More than 80% of all mathematical computations
in daily life involve mental computation and
estimation.
Classroom time devoted to computation
Mental Computation
•
The role of mental computation is a way of
allowing children to explore number and other
mathematical concepts.
•
Flexible mental computation allows children to
see beyond concrete representations.
Flexible mental computation strategies
• In your head add 43 and 48.
• How did you solve the problem?
• Write down your strategy.
• Answer: 91
Flexible mental computation strategies
• Adding from the left
40 plus 40 is 80
3 plus 8 is 11
80 plus 11 is 91
• Counting on
I’ll count by tens. 48…58…68…78…88
Then I’ll count by ones. 89…90…91
• Making tens
48 plus 2 is 50
50 plus 40 is 90
90, plus 1 more is 91
Flexible mental computation strategies
• Doubling
48 plus 48 is 96
Since 43 is 5 less than 48
96 minus 5 is 91
• Making compatibles
43 and 7 are compatible because they make 50
50 plus 40 is 90
90 plus 1 more is 91
• Bridging
I’ll break up a number and add the parts
43 plus 8 is 51
add 40 more is 91
Can you think of any other ways to solve this problem?
The value of sharing New wave mental problems
• Share the strategies employed by the children for
one or more of the questions in the activity set each
day.
• Children will witness that the teacher values flexibility
of thought and will be encouraged to try different
strategies.
• Sharing will provide the students with alternative
methods for computing a problem.
New wave mentals
• New wave mentals provides access to a broad
range of mathematical concepts.
Mathematical concepts covered
• Number
• Pre-algebra
• Space
• Measurement
• Chance and Data
Number Examples
Level B
Level D
Level G
Pre-algebra Examples
Level B
Level D
Level G
Space Examples
Level B
Level D
Level G
Measurement Examples
Level B
Level D
Level G
Chance and Data Examples
Level B
Level E
Level G
The benefits of New wave mentals
• Introducing
• Reinforcing
• Re-teaching
• Assessing
Introducing
• New mathematical concepts are
introduced in the Monday activity
set.
• Upon noting any difficulties
children have during the session,
the teacher can consider these
topics as “teaching points” for the
week.
Reinforcing
• The concepts introduced in
the Monday activity set of
New wave mentals are
repeated throughout the
following week(s) in the
daily activity sets.
• This structure provides teachers with an opportunity to
highlight particular needs in the classroom and develop their
students’ understanding of specific concepts and skills.
Re-teaching
• The concepts raised earlier in New wave mentals are
revisited throughout the ensuing weeks.
• This revisiting provides teachers with an opportunity to
reassess students’ understanding and target individuals
and groups of children who need re-teaching of specific
mathematical concepts.
Assessing
• Assessment is ongoing and continuous throughout
the year. The assessment is both formative and
summative.
• Teachers and children are able to view at a glance
concepts mastered and those which require further
attention.
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Whole-class assessment – weekly tests
Whole-class assessment – concept specific
Individual assessment – concept specific
Student record sheet
Using New wave mentals in the classroom
• Daily use
• Timing
• Organisation
A week with New wave mentals
• Monday
• Tuesday
• Wednesday
• Thursday
• Friday
Alternative uses for New wave mentals
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Homework
Work stations
Games
Assessment
Children creating their own mental maths problems