The four goals of mental mathematics

Strategies, Understanding, Reading and Fast Facts can be viewed as the four goals of mental mathematics. In a similar manner the CAFE reading framework, which provides a comprehensive list of strategies to support the teaching of its four goals, the SURF framework is supported by “teaching points” which can be mapped onto each of its goals:

Strategies – strategies. The teaching of individual “strategies” is linked to the overall strategies goal.

Understanding – ideas. The teaching of a series of “ideas” in mathematics is linked to the understanding goal.

Reading – symbols. The teaching of mathematical “symbols” is linked to the goal of being able to read mathematics.

Fast Facts – facts. The teaching of “facts” is linked to the goal of being able to recall number facts quickly.