How can you tell they’ve got it: Choosing the right strategy?

If they’ve got it, you’ll see things like: Choose a mental method for 345 + 200 but a written method for 345 + 278; Select a ruler vs a metre stick based on the object being measured; Decide when a number line is more useful than base-ten blocks for a given problem. Or just try it together: When your child faces a maths problem, do they think about which method suits it best — like doing easy ones in their head, using a written method for bigger calculations, or sketching a diagram for geometry?

Mathematics Mathematical Thinking Ages 7–8

Choosing the right strategy

Your child can pick the best method for a sum. They do 345 + 200 in their head, but write out 345 + 278 step by step.

In curriculum terms

Select and use appropriate tools and representations strategically, including choosing between mental methods, jottings, formal algorithms, and calculators for arithmetic with multi-digit numbers, decimals, and fractions

Ages are typical, not deadlines — follow your child’s pace. How to help at home →

How to tell they’ve got it

Tick these off as you see them — no test required.

Choose a mental method for 345 + 200 but a written method for 345 + 278
Select a ruler vs a metre stick based on the object being measured
Decide when a number line is more useful than base-ten blocks for a given problem

🖨 Print this page to keep the checklist — it prints beautifully.

Try this together

When your child faces a maths problem, do they think about which method suits it best — like doing easy ones in their head, using a written method for bigger calculations, or sketching a diagram for geometry?

Where this sits on the map

Stuck here? Check the skills it builds on first. Confident? Here’s what it unlocks.

Builds on

Numbers on a number lineages 6–7Age 7-8 strategic tool use builds on age 6-7

Adding and subtractingages 7–8Choosing mental vs written method exercises strategic tool selection

Measuring lengthages 7–8Selecting measurement tools exercises strategic tool use

Choosing the right strategythis skill · ages 7–8

Unlocks

Choosing mathematical toolsages 8–9Age 7-8 strategic tool use is prerequisite to age 8-9 level

solid = must come firstdashed = helps

Curriculum alignment

Where this fits in the official school curriculum — our best automated guess, not yet checked by a person.

Show candidate curriculum codes · 3 ACARA · 2 NSW · 3 VIC

Australian Curriculum v9 candidate

AC9M4A02medium confidenceYear 4 · Algebra

recall and demonstrate proficiency with multiplication facts up to 10 x 10 and related division facts; extend and apply facts to develop efficient mental strategies for computation with larger numbers without a calculator

AC9M3A02medium confidenceYear 3 · Algebra

extend and apply knowledge of addition and subtraction facts to 20 to develop efficient mental strategies for computation with larger numbers without a calculator

AC9M4N06medium confidenceYear 4 · Number

develop efficient strategies and use appropriate digital tools for solving problems involving addition and subtraction, and multiplication and division where there is no remainder

NSW syllabus codes & stages only

MA2-AR-01medium confidenceMathematics K-10 · Stage 2

MAO-WM-01low confidenceMathematics K-10 · Early Stage 1, Stage 1, Stage 2, Stage 3

Victorian Curriculum 2.0 codes & levels only

VC2M4N06medium confidenceMathematics · Level 4 · Number strand

VC2M3A02medium confidenceMathematics · Level 3 · Algebra strand

VC2M4A02medium confidenceMathematics · Level 4 · Algebra strand

These are candidate alignments generated by semantic matching — machine-suggested and unreviewed (v0.1), not official or verified mappings. For official curriculum content see australiancurriculum.edu.au, curriculum.nsw.edu.au and f10.vcaa.vic.edu.au. Don’t rely on them for registration or compliance purposes.

Nearby on the map

Extending Table Patternsages 7–8 Justifying mathematical reasoningages 7–8 Multi-Step Problem Solvingages 7–8 Shape patternsages 7–8

All Mathematical Thinking skills →