Thinking Deeply about Primary Education What the science of learning teaches us about arithmetic fluency with John Jackson
Sep 20, 2025
In this engaging conversation, John Jackson, an experienced secondary mathematics teacher and education commentator, dives into the science of learning about arithmetic fluency. He explores effective classroom practices that emphasize accuracy, efficiency, and meaning in mathematics. John discusses the importance of early number sense, potential pitfalls of rote learning, and the value of structured retrieval. He offers practical strategies for teachers and shares insights on how school leaders and parents can support students in developing mathematical fluency.
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Mixed Approach Beats Either/Or
- The paper recommends a mixed approach: recall of facts plus meaningful understanding.
- John Jackson says the paper explains how to combine both using cognitive science and classroom moves.
Teach Strategies With Models And Practice
- Explicitly teach arithmetic alongside models and practice using efficient strategies (eg. use 10 as a reference).
- Provide pictorial or concrete representations to bridge understanding and support flexible use of strategies.
Board Games And Home Counting Matter
- Kieran recalls small home tweaks like touching pips on dice to improve counting during the pandemic.
- He notes board games and everyday conversation give an 18-month advantage to some children.