How can you get better at Mental Maths?

[Solo2]

Any Maths teachers on here?

My 9 yr old boy twins are both in the middle maths group at their academically selective school and are both 'failing' in this group, especially in Mental Maths. They'll get marks like 8 out of 25 or, at absolute best, 14 out of 25.

I've talked with the teacher and he's given me extra work for me to do with them at home but I'm not actually sure how this will translate into them improving. Demotion might have to happen if they don't improve my March - which would mean starting again with a different teacher and their self-esteem being compromised even more.

They're terrified of the teacher who does the bottom group. On the other hand, the bottom group only has 20 children and a full-time TA and their middle group has 26 children and only a 20 min a week period where another teacher comes in to take a small subgroup. The rest of the time is whole class teaching.

Mental Maths involves them having to work at speed, under pressure, without showing or writing any working. So what they can do slowly, under relaxed conditions, is different from what they can at speed, under pressure.

It seems that there are various component parts of mental maths, including: a) knowing number bonds and timestables instantaneously b) knowing what operation to apply at any one time to any one subject - eg is this a question where you have to divide or multiply? c) being able to listen all the way through to the end of a question, retain the info. and do the correct calcumation at speed, whilst retaining throughout, different parts of the sum in your mind.

There are probably a lot more aspects too. Other than simply repetitive practice at home with me (which also involves first getting them to comply), are there any absolutely specific techniques/ processes that would help them?

Maths has always been my worst subject, so I'm not the best person to help them. They don't seem to be 'taught' how to approach and process diffreent kinds of sum - just regularly tested on how well they can do them. I've already asked the teacher what to do and he just gave me extra work for them and told me to ensure they know number bonds and times tables v well.

Any advice from the more mathematically-inclined here?

[sarahfreck]

Could you get school permission to concentrate on the mental maths rather than usual homework for one night a week?