“Improved automaticity in fundamental/basic skills, such as calculating, at lower levels frees up working memory resources for processing higher-order skills and understandings”.
Pegg, 2010 p.37
We need to set a culture where students are given permission to enjoy their mathematical work.
Carefully tell the “story” behind the skills and drills that we set in the classroom:
Enjoyment can be found through the processes of manipulating numbers, discovering patterns, solving problems, and helping others do the same.
The structure, order, and even the definite, right/wrong answers of routine skills can be relaxing and provide a break from all the “big thinking” needed for the uncertainties of life and education.
However, there needs to be balance! No athlete likes to just practice drills… enjoyment and improvement also come from playing the big game!
Finding enjoyment in the skills and drills of mathematics
Hard work
Enjoyment is found as we “work for the Lord” (Colossians 3:23) and through exercising our gifts.
An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops. Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.”
2Timothy 2: 5-7
The Biblical story shows that work is built into the order of creation; contained in the covenant promises; and prepared in advance for humankind by God (Gen. 2:2-3; Ex. 20:8-11; Eph. 2:10).
God created humans for work six-sevenths of the time which leads to joy and contentment, and this can be found even in the routine tasks of mathematics.
Students find enjoyment when they strum away on a guitar for hours; doodle to create artwork; or kick a ball endlessly at a goal post. They don’t feel the need to question ‘when are we ever going to use this?’ as some are prone to do with Mathematics. We need to give students ‘permission’ to enjoy the process of manipulating numbers to solve mathematical puzzles.
Just as Eric Liddell was depicted as “feeling God’s pleasure” through running in Chariots of Fire, it is possible to attain this through the work of doing mathematics!