TLF ID S7048
This teacher resource describes a case study investigating the use of visual tools to enhance mental computation by year 4 students who achieved poor results on the National Assessment Program - Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) numeracy test, at St Monica's Primary School, Canberra. The method section describes the use of four visual tools - number lines, ten-frames, connecting cubes and 'think boards' - to show student thinking as they engaged in mental computation. The strategy resulted in improved student understanding of mental computation. The resource discusses the lessons learned from the case study, and provides a summary of recent research in the field and references to relevant readings.