Think Mentals – Building Strong Mental Maths Skills

Mathematics is often seen as one of the most challenging subjects for young learners. Among its many branches, mental computation is an essential skill that strengthens a student’s overall fluency in numbers. Think Mentals, developed by Firefly Education, is a resource designed to make mental maths clear, structured, and approachable.

The program moves away from rote memorization, instead showing students how to use friendly, step-by-step strategies that simplify difficult calculations. Whether accessed through student workbooks or an interactive digital platform, Think Mentals guides learners toward confidence and speed in mental computation.

Think Mentals – Why the Program is Different

Not all mental maths programs are created equal. Think Mentals stands out because of its consistency, clarity, and supportive design. Here are a few reasons educators across Australia and beyond adopt it in their classrooms:

• Clear strategies explained step-by-step – Students don’t just see the answer; they learn the method to arrive there mentally.

• Structured weekly lessons – Each week follows a rhythm: teaching, practice, revision, and assessment.

• Ongoing revision – Previously learned strategies are revisited daily, ensuring retention.

By blending routine with variety, Think Mentals helps students not just “do maths” but understand how numbers work.

Think Mentals – Inside the Learning Materials

The program offers a combination of print and digital tools, ensuring it can adapt to different classroom setups.

1. Student Workbooks (Years 1–6):
   Each book contains 32 weekly units. Every unit introduces one strategy, followed by three days of practice and one day of assessment.

2. Think Mentals Answers:
   A projectable resource that makes teaching and marking easier. Teachers can display solutions, highlight steps, or print materials for review.

3. Think Mentals Digital:
   An online platform packed with extras: instructional videos, automatic marking, digital portfolios, and real-time tracking of student progress.

This multi-format delivery means teachers can mix traditional pen-and-paper learning with modern digital tools.

Think Mentals – A Weekly Routine That Works

One of the strongest features of Think Mentals is its predictable weekly structure. Students know what to expect, and teachers can easily plan their lessons.

• Day 1: Strategy Introduction – The new mental maths strategy is explained with a simple breakdown and clear examples.

• Days 2–4: Practice – Students practice the new strategy while also revising older ones, helping them consolidate knowledge.

• Day 5: Assessment – A short quiz assesses both the new strategy and general fluency.

• Think Box Challenges – Periodically, students encounter special tasks that push their thinking beyond routine calculations.

This routine makes maths less intimidating and encourages learners to approach each week with confidence.

Think Mentals – Digital Learning Tools

The digital version of Think Mentals offers additional benefits:

• Video Explanations: Short clips demonstrate strategies in action, making it easier for visual learners.

• Interactive Slideshows: Each strategy can be broken down step by step in a classroom-friendly way.

• Progress Tracking: Teachers and parents can view detailed reports of a child’s performance.

Digital learning makes maths more engaging and reduces administrative load for teachers.

Think Mentals – Teacher Support

Firefly Education designed Think Mentals not only for students but also with teachers in mind.

• Professional Development: Teachers can access workshops and webinars on how to integrate the program effectively.

• Resource Library: Sample pages, guides, and videos explain how to get the best results.

• Answer Support: With Think Mentals Answers, instructors can display or print solutions quickly, saving lesson time.

The program’s design respects teachers’ time, giving them tools to focus more on teaching and less on marking or planning.

Think Mentals – The Role of Scaffolding

At the heart of Think Mentals lies scaffolding—breaking complex concepts into smaller, manageable steps.

• Step-by-step strategies lower the cognitive load.

• Daily revision reinforces previous knowledge.

• Challenges stretch advanced learners without overwhelming beginners.

Think Mentals – Benefits for Students

Students benefit in multiple ways:

• Fluency: They become faster and more accurate with numbers.

• Confidence: Each strategy mastered builds self-esteem.

• Problem-Solving Skills: Higher-order thinking tasks prepare them for advanced maths.

• Enjoyment: Clear steps and engaging challenges make maths less intimidating.

The consistent design means even reluctant learners can see progress week after week.

Think Mentals – Benefits for Teachers

For educators, Think Mentals is a time-saving, stress-reducing resource.

• Lesson Planning Simplified: Weekly units are already structured.

• Instant Feedback: Digital tools mark student work automatically.

• Targeted Support: Reports show which strategies students struggle with, allowing for tailored instruction.

• Professional Development: Teachers receive continuous support from Firefly Education.

This makes the program as practical for teachers as it is effective for learners.

Think Mentals – Progression Across Year Levels

From Year 1 to Year 6, students build a strong foundation and progress naturally:

• Years 1–2: Introduction to addition and subtraction strategies.

• Years 3–4: Multiplication, division, and place value strategies.

• Years 5–6: Multi-step problems, complex strategies, and advanced fluency.

Think Mentals – Sample Strategies

Here are a few examples of strategies used in the program:

• Friendly Jumps (Addition): Breaking numbers into easier “jumps” to simplify calculation.

• Bridging to Ten: Adjusting numbers to the nearest ten before solving.

• Place Value Division: Splitting large numbers into smaller place value parts for easier division.

These strategies encourage flexible thinking and make maths less abstract.

Think Mentals – Student and Teacher Feedback

Feedback from schools has been overwhelmingly positive:

• Teachers note significant improvements in mental fluency.

• Students say they enjoy the clear strategies and challenges.

• Data shows increased speed and accuracy in computation.

This combination of anecdotal and measurable results demonstrates the program’s real-world effectiveness.

Conclusion

Think Mentals is more than a maths workbook—it’s a complete system for teaching and learning mental computation. By combining scaffolded strategies, structured weekly lessons, and powerful digital tools, it makes maths both approachable and effective.

Students gain confidence, speed, and accuracy, while teachers save time and receive strong support. From Years 1 through 6, Think Mentals ensures that learners leave primary school with the fluency they need for higher-level maths.