Children in grades 6 through 8 face a number of serious expectations, not only socially but academically. A solid foundation in basic mathematical procedures allows students opportunities to be mathematically confident and to move quickly into complex problem solving and reasoning. Middle schoolers who can use math with ease to see multiple ways to approach a problem are children ready to move deeply into math. Additionally, when a child can use mathematical ideas to solve other problems in other places beyond math class, he or she can think broadly without hesitating over basic operational procedures.
Being able to compute double digit math operations mentally is a tremendous advantage for students entering middle school. Knowing methods for adding number pairs to equal 10 and 100 means performing fewer procedures in a multi-step math problem. Students who can mentally work with numbers display a stronger number sense and can work more flexibly with mathematics than those who hesitate on basic operations. A solid understanding of place value and comfort with large numbers mean students can solve problems quicker than their classmates who still struggle with simple arithmetical procedures in more complex mathematical situations.
Middle school students in math classes who can ask themselves if a resulting answer is reasonable use estimation prior to solving a problem to confirm that they are indeed on the right track. Abundant real life experiences, such as those involving measurement for example, equip students with tangible practice in using estimation to double-check an answer. Computers and calculators assist in performing algorithms, however knowing if the resulting response is feasible relies on estimation skills and logical thinking on the part of the child.
All strands in middle school math rely on solid computational skills. Students are expected to work fluidly with number operations, algebra, measurement and geometry. Comfort in basic procedures utilizing fractions, decimals, percents, prime numbers and negative integers is critical in being well equipped to master the higher level math skills needed prior to high school, particularly for those interested in science and engineering fields.