Journal of the Mathematics Council of the Alberta Teachers’ Association
Volume 41 Issue 2, June 2004
15 – 17
A Focus on Fostering Number Sense Makes a Lot of Sense
Werner Liedtke
Number sense is the most important pre- and co-requisite for numeracy. Number sense contributes to flexible thinking in numerical situations and the ability to solve problems. Without a conscientious focus on fostering number sense through key aspects of the curriculum (the teacher, resources, materials and so on), it is unlikely that most students will develop this sense. Consideration of number sense must go beyond unit topics and should, whenever possible, be part of the ongoing program. When students are not able to make sense of the numbers being manipulated, mathematics learning becomes rote or, as research shows, overwhelming and anxiety inducing.
