3x table - best way to teach

[MaggieW]

DD, 7, can count happily in 3s but when we try to do the 3x table it just doesn't seem to computer. Can anyone perhaps give me some tips on best way to learn it? We say it on the way to school and then I try to test her randomly but no joy. TIA.

Have you got lego bricks. I find it helps if children can visualise tables - take three logo bricks and stick them together twelve times and build up the tables in front of her so she can see it. It is easier then to imagine that there are 4 threes in twelve and two in sixes etc I find it all falls into place that way.

You're gonna think I'm totally bonkers, but the thing that worked for mine was the Embrace song "3 is the magic number" the one that starts "A man and a woman had a little baby.."; towards the end they count up to 30, then down again, and sing about the multiples of 3 in each set of ten. Much more fun than Peter/Percy? thingy and his times table CD!

I got a CD from the early learning center, Sing along times tables and played it on the school run.It drove nme ever so slightly mad but DD learnt her tables.

With DS2 I have a pack of playing cards. I deal he cards one at a time and whatever card comes up he has to multiply it by 3. The number cards are worth whatever the nmber is, Jack =11, Queen = 12, King = 0.

The cards are randomly shuffled and it is a challenge to get through the pack without a mistake. Works with other multiplication tables obviously and a child can practice alone too.

Thanks for all of those. Will try them out tomorrow. Thanks again.