A bright and engaging set of Mental Strategies Anchor Charts designed for learners working within Second Level Curriculum for Excellence.

This colourful 8-page resource supports pupils in developing flexible mental maths strategies and stronger number sense. Each poster breaks down a key strategy into simple, pupil-friendly steps with clear worked examples and visual prompts.

What’s included?

The pack contains 8 full-page anchor charts covering:

• What are mental strategies?
• Number bonds and known facts
• Partitioning
• Bridging through 10 and 100
• Doubles and near doubles
• Compensation
• Friendly numbers
• Choosing the best strategy

Each poster includes:

• Clear child-friendly explanations
• Worked examples
• Visual models and number lines
• Key reminders
• Strategy tips
• A short “Try it!” question to encourage independent thinking

Perfect for:

• P5–P7 learners
• Second Level Numeracy and Mathematics
• Whole-class maths lessons
• Mental maths teaching
• Maths working walls
• Classroom displays
• Guided maths groups
• Revision and consolidation
• Supporting flexible thinking
• Pupils who benefit from clear visual prompts and step-by-step examples

These anchor charts are designed to help pupils move away from relying on one fixed method and instead develop confidence in choosing efficient mental strategies for different calculations.

The consistent, colourful primary-style layout makes the posters easy to use throughout a maths lesson and ideal for keeping on display as an ongoing reference.

Simply print and display the full set, use individual posters alongside specific lessons, or add them to pupil maths folders and reference books.

Curriculum: Curriculum for Excellence
Level: Second Level
Subject: Numeracy and Mathematics
Topic: Mental Strategies / Number Processes
Pages: 8

A practical and visually engaging resource for helping Second Level learners become more confident, flexible and efficient mental mathematicians.