Does Principles and Standards support teaching the “basics”?
Absolutely. A major goal in the early grades—prekindergarten through grade 5—is the development of computational fluency with whole numbers. Fluency refers to having efficient, accurate, and generalizable methods (or algorithms) for computing that are based on well understood properties and number relationships. Some of these methods are performed mentally, and others are carried out using paper and pencil to facilitate the recording of thinking. Principles and Standards recognizes that computational proficiency alone is not enough. In today’s world students’ basic arithmetic skills must include the ability to choose what numbers to use and what operation is appropriate for carrying out the computation, deciding if the results make sense, and then making a decision about what to do next. Reasoning, problem solving, making connections, communicating, and using representations all come into play. Having both computational skills and conceptual understanding will enable students to solve
