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Original poster

Times tables (yr3)

15 replies

mogmum · 27/10/2011 13:14

My DD has been learning her times tables and seems to be doing ok so far (early days still though)
My question though is this, At parents evening her teacher said that although DD knows them she needs to be able to answer them quicker than she is doing at the moment.
I thought that as long as she knew them then she was doing ok so where does this 'speed answering' come from?

Confused
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Feenie · 27/10/2011 13:19

It's called 'rapid recall'! And means just that.

In Y6, the Maths SAT includes a timed test - children are given as little as 5 seconds to answer some questions.

Original poster
mogmum · 27/10/2011 15:43

Thank you Feenie.

I suppose that if they start now then by Y6 it will be second nature to them

Thanks
OP posts:
PastSellByDate · 27/10/2011 17:26

Hi MogMum:

If you want to improve your DDs speed on times tables I can suggest two free games.

Tux of Math Command is an Open Source free programme you can download. It's based on asteroids. The problem (say 2 x 4) appears at the top of the screen and you type in the answer (8) - if you're correct the answer blows away the problem. Very satisfying. You can select the level (easy to hard) and the type of problem. So you have a lot of control on what to practice (which means those tricky x7 and x8 tables can get extra practice).

The link for Tux of Math Command is here: tux4kids.alioth.debian.org/tuxmath/

The other game you can download is Timez attack which has a shorter version that is free or you can pay for more add ons. The link is here: www.bigbrainz.com/. The free version of the game has two parts where you search through a castle or dungeon and solve multiplication problems and then a high pressure ogre attack where you have to answer the problems you've been working on with speed. It's great for reinforcing learning, is quite visual and helps pick up speed.

Enjoy.

mrz · 27/10/2011 18:24

The ability to instantly recall number bonds and multiplication facts helps us to calculate quickly so it is a skill we encourage in young children. Our children aim to complete 7 addition sentences in 20 seconds in reception and 72 multiplication sentences in 100 seconds in Y6. Most can complete these with time to spare.

Original poster
mogmum · 27/10/2011 20:35

Thank you PastSellByDate I will have a look at those, they sound great.
My DD is a visual learner so hopefully these will help her.

mrz- 72 in 100 seconds!!!! Hopefuly by yr6 she will be ok with that.

Thank you both for your help

OP posts:
CrossEyed · 27/10/2011 20:38

Crikey, mrz, that is impressive. What do you do to encourage speed?

tryingtobemarypoppins2 · 27/10/2011 21:28

Even the year 3 optional sats only gave 5 secs to answer mental maths questions :(

mychildrenarebarmy · 27/10/2011 21:32

Another website you could try is www.tutpup.com. It is a beta version at the moment and can be a bit clunky but my DD has found it really good for helping her get faster at answering them.

Feenie · 27/10/2011 21:47

It's been beta for yonks - I've registered my class three years running! I agree it's very good though.

Iamnotminterested · 27/10/2011 22:06

By the time they get to high school the nonsense that is the "timed mental maths test" will be but a distant memory , or so my teacher friend tells me .

I really bloody hope so ...

mrz · 27/10/2011 22:08

not from my experience

exoticfruits · 27/10/2011 22:20

If they know their tables properly it will be instant recall.

mrz · 27/10/2011 22:24

I expect children to also know the division facts for each times table

exoticfruits · 27/10/2011 22:30

Really backwards, forwards and inside out!

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