Number sense is a foundational mathematical skill developed during elementary school years. It involves a deep understanding of numbers, their relationships, and their magnitude. Students with strong number sense can flexibly manipulate numbers, estimate quantities, and solve problems mentally. By exploring patterns, making connections between mathematical operations, and grasping the concept of place value, elementary students build a solid numerical foundation that supports their future mathematical learning and problem-solving abilities.

“Procedural fluency is an essential component of equitable teaching and is necessary to developing mathematical proficiency and mathematical agency. Each and every student must have access to teaching that connects concepts to procedures, explicitly develops a reasonable repertoire of strategies and algorithms, provides substantial opportunities for students to learn to choose from among the strategies and algorithms in their repertoire, and implements assessment practices that attend to all components of fluency.” 

-National Council for Teachers of Mathematics

Read the full position paper here