Town Farm
Primary School and Nursery
Times tables
Aims:
You will know:
•What is expected of the pupils for each year group
•An understanding of why the quick and accurate
recall of table facts is so important.
•Some ways of getting your child to remember the
tables in different ways that will appeal to their
learning style.
Headlines
Times tables ‘to be tested by age 11’– BBC News
All pupils to sit new times table test as part of KS2
Sats - and schools will be held accountable - TES.com
Pupils will have to know times tables by age 11
under new tests - Guardian
Pupils ‘must memorise times tables by age 11’ – ITV news
All pupils to be tested on times tables by age 11
in crackdown on 'illiteracy and innumeracy‘ Independent
The basics:
• Under the current National Curriculum, children are
supposed to know their times tables by the end of
Year 4, but they are not formally tested on them
other than through multiplication questions in the
Year 6 maths SATs.
• Children will be tested using an on-screen check,
where they will have to answer multiplication
questions against the clock. Their answers will be
marked instantly. This is the first time that the
Department for Education (DfE) has used
computerised tests in primary schools.
Why a new test?
• Announcing the tests, Nicky Morgan said: "Maths is a
non-negotiable of a good education. Since 2010, we’ve
seen record numbers of 11-year-olds start secondary
school with a good grasp of the three Rs. But some
continue to struggle. That is why, as part of our
commitment to extend opportunity and deliver
education excellence everywhere, we are introducing a
new check to ensure all pupils know their times tables
by age 11.“
Because the National Curriculum for maths is so extensive,
there is an expectation that parents will help their children
learn their times tables at home and not rely on schools to
bring them up to speed.
Times tables your child is
expected to learn:
Year 2:
2x, 5x,10x
Year 3:
3x, 4x, 6x, 8x
Year 4:
7x, 9x,11x, 12x
Year 5:
revision of all the times tables
Year 6:
revision of all the times tables
Why?
Times tables are keys to unlocking other parts of
the maths curriculum. They enable us to quickly
answer related questions and also help us to use
written methods quickly.
For example:
I know that 7 x 8 is 56, so I also know that:
70 x 8 = 560,
0.7 x 8 = 5.6,
7000 x 8 = 56000,
1/7 of 56 is 8…
Why?
In this example, there are eight
timetables facts needed in
order to answer the question.
This does not include any
estimations that might need
times tables facts.
If a child is not able to recall
the facts quickly, they will lose
the thread of their calculations
and this is likely to cause an
incorrect answer. If they recall
the answer in correctly, they
will get a wrong final answer.
How do we get children to
remember all of the facts?
All children learn differently, but there may be a
learning style that appeals to your child.
• Visual learners – seeing and reading.
• Auditory learners – listening and speaking.
• Kinaesthetic learners – touching and doing.
This means that it is important to try a range of
different activities.
How do we get children to remember
all of the facts?
Songs
Extend further into songs and rhymes.
For example:
1 x 3 = 3 the little boy climbed up the tree, 2 x 3 = 6 the little
boy snapped off some sticks, 3 x 3 = 9 he climbed down
the washing line, …etc.
• Adding actions to the songs will aid memory even
further.
• You will also find times tables songs online.
When do children start learning
about multiplication?
Grouping
•Let them become familiar with stories first, using real life scenarios and
practical examples.
•Understanding the commutative principle (e.g 2x3 = 3x2)
3 lots of 4 flowers and 4 lots of 3 flowers
3x4=12 and 4x3=12
Arrays
Looking for arrays
(An array is a systematic arrangement of similar objects, usually in rows and columns).
•Rectangular arrays are a great way to understand times
tables
•They are everywhere!
Games
Rolling two dice (preferably 10 sided dice or 12 sided
dice) and multiply the scores together.
Pack of playing cards halved into two piles, draw a
card from each pile and multiply together.
100 square/multiplication
square
Pattern
Learning the 2 x table
• I often write out 2s in three columns, like this:
• I then point out that, once we have reached 5x2,
the series of final figures repeats itself. This helps
build understanding of numbers and prepares
children for larger tables with even numbers.
• The 3 times table is a little harder to learn than the 2
times table, but only a little, as the numbers are still
fairly small.
• Start practising the 3 times table once 2s are
secure (though perhaps still a little slow).
• Practice any points of difficulty carefully – these are
often 3x7 and 3x9. I often find that children
remember 5x3 fairly easily, and so go back to that
to build up.
Learning the 4 x table
• The numbers are all even and still below 50. As in the 2
times table, the final digit of each answer repeats itself
after 5x.
You can work out a 4 times sum by doubling the two times
table.
7 x 4 is the same as 7 x 2 = 14, then 14 x 2 = 28.
Learning the 5, 10, 11 and 12 times tables
Learning the 5 times table
• If children learn one multiplication table easily, it is almost
always the 5 times table. The final digit is always 5 or 0, and
this easy pattern makes it an excellent half-way point in
tables learning. Teach fives as you have the other tables,
practising if need be. Don't take it for granted, and don't go
too fast – if your child makes a mistake, go back two or
three steps.
• If your child does find 5s difficult, use 5 and 10p pieces as
practical props to help them.
Learning the 10 times table
• Really just counting in the tens rather than the units column,
and very easy. Continue to 12x10 to begin to build
awareness of numbers over 100.
Learning the 5, 10, 11 and 12 times tables
Learning the 11 times table
• Counting in both the units and the tens columns at
once this time, and again very easy. Use coins if you
need props, and once again continue to 12x11.
Learning the 12 times table
• Counting in one column and applying the 2 times
table in the other. The 12 times table isn't as easy as
10s and 11s, but it isn’t the most difficult.
The "tricky" group: learning
the 6, 8 and 9 times tables
http://mathstory.com/you
tubevids/multiplyby9.asp
x#.Vx9dndQrLIV
The 8 x table
The ones digits have
a regular pattern they go down in 2s, it
is also double the 4
times table.
The great thing about the 8x table is that answers can be found by doubling:
2xtable =double 4x=double, double 8x=double, double, double
6 x table
You can work out a 6 times sum by
doubling the three times table.
5 x 6 is the same as double 5 x 3
Once again, the final numbers repeat
themselves after 5x, so approach the table
in two halves if this seems easier.
7 x table
Step-by-step 7 times table learning
Make sure your child is confident with the 2, 3, 4 and 5 times tables
• Start by explaining why 7s are more difficult, and then say the table slowly,
inviting your child to join in, but not requiring it. Ask if they'd like you to do this
again.
• Then try the paired table approach (saying the table out loud at the same time as
your child), going very slowly and giving your child every opportunity to catch
on.
• A judgement call from here on in, but I usually then use the paired approach to
3x7, then start from the beginning and go to 5x7. If it sticks, great – if not, go
back and build up carefully.
• Complete the second part of the table once the first part is secure.
The 7 times table is likely to take more practice than the others; as long as the 2
times table (the foundation of all multiplication tables learning), the 3 times table
and the 4 times table are in place, though, children can usually learn it in ten days or
so.
A brilliant mnemonic from Guardian Education to help with tricky 7s. Write
down these three columns:
This gives the final digit of each item in the table in order.
More information:
Visit the TFPS website to access the calculations policy
www.town-farm.surrey.sch.uk/curriculum-policies
See the school website for links to websites that can support your children’s learning.