Research On Strategies Of Cultivating Elementary School Students’ Number Sense

The index of number sense refers to the sentiment of numbers, quantitative relations,estimation of arithmetic calculations and so on. It is the core concepts emphasized in newmathematic curriculum standards. And it focus on the “Number and Algebra” and“Comprehensive Practice”of new mathematic curriculum standards.By the mathematic curriculum, this study divided the elements of number sense into sixparts, namely, the meaning of number, the presentation of number, quantitative relations, thecalculation of numbers, the evaluation of numbers and the problem-solving of numbers. Themain purpose of this study is to find out the cultivation strategies of pupils’number senseand provide some operational strategies for primary mathematics teachers. This study adoptsthe method of combining qualitative study with quantitative study, and applies the adaptationof " pupils’ number sense test" as research tool, selected a sampling of about289fourthgrade pupils in three rural primary schools and about40teachers in seven primary schools inHaikou for research and interview. To analyze the data, the author adopts descriptive statisticsand independent samples group T test and LSD test.And then we come to the following conclusion:(1) Overall, the average test scores of fourth grade pupils’ are relatively low, fourthgrade pupils’ development of number sense is generally not high.(2) Upon the six components of number sense, there is no significant gender difference.But the difference does exist between the girls and boys in “the meaning of number” and “thecalculation of numbers”, and the girls’ performance is apparently superior to the boys’. Therest of the four parts have no significant gender difference.In general, the difference does exist between the three schools. The students’performance of9th primary school is apparently superior to the11th, the students’performance of11th primary school is apparently superior to the26th.(3)Among the components of number sense, all the students performed best in “themeaning of number”, followed by “the evaluation of numbers”,“quantitative relations” and“the calculation of numbers”,“the problem-solving of numbers” and “the presentation ofnumber” are the worst. Based on the above results of study, the author gives some suggestions. Firstly,combining with real life situations, strengthen to teaching “the meaning of number” and “thepresentation of number”. Secondly, pay attention to the teaching of " the principle of calculate" and divers algorithm. Thirdly, know the educational value of estimation clearly，strengthenthe teaching of estimation. Fourthly, pay attention to pedagogy of variation.Cultivation of number sense is a long-term and gradual process. In addition, the authorputs forward the further speculation. Firstly, the teacher should be reinforce learning andchange their educational concept and idea. Secondly, flexible use of their textbooks, timelysupplements the shortage of the textbooks. Thirdly, change the traditional teaching idea andlearning method.Because of the professional knowledge, research conditions and so on, there are someshortcomings in this study, such as the sample is small and the data are really limited, and thedesign of the test should be more perfect.