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Times Tables

20 replies

TeaOneSugar · 10/07/2012 21:47

DD is doing well in maths, she's about to finish year 3 and was assessed at 3b, but she is struggling to remember her times tables, she's asked me to help her with them, but I'm not sure how to approach this, other than just taking one at a time and repeating it until it sinks in.

Also, should she be learning them as 1 x 3 is 3 etc. like we did when i was at school, or just 3,6,9 etc.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

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learnandsay · 10/07/2012 22:05

Sometimes one of the tables is more intuitive than the others, with me it was the seven times table. And I found that one easy. It's possible that once you learn one or two, two times, five times, ten times, etc (the easy ones,) that learning tables becomes easier. (Maybe singing them helps.)

AbigailS · 10/07/2012 22:28

Not just counting in 3s e.g. 3, 6, 9, 12, but as 1X3 = .... Then randomly so they can answer "what is 3 x 3? what is 9 X 3?". Counting in 3s (or which ever times table they are learning) makes instant recall of random multiplication facts harder; I find children hesitate counting in threes for each of nine fingers to get to 9 X 3 rather than knowing straight away.

BooksandBrunch · 10/07/2012 22:31

My ds became a times tables genius through a method given to him by his tutor in year 3. He was given an A4 sheet with three columns of different multiplication facts, up to the twelve times tables (it was a while ago, so can't remember if it was daily, but am sure it was) and was then timed to complete the sheet. It became a challenge to himself to beat his last time and eventually got it down to 1min and 20 secs by end yr 4 beginning yr 5, or something like that (if he was awake he'd be able to tell me exactly so PM me if you want to know for sure). I think eventually the information just got stored to memory, perhaps even photographic memory - and he's no geek by any means just in case your wondering:). He was in a private school at the time and in that area, no one could beat him.

chocolatchaud · 10/07/2012 22:33

DS has just started having a few maths lessons - the teacher is mega keen on times tables.

She suggests that you have a sum per day e.g. 3x4=12 and every time you see them and think about it, ask them. It does become funny after a while! Then at the end of the week they should be able to get 20 of the same times table in a minute - i.e you ask them random ones and keep a tally. Then move up to next times table.

She also gave us a link to 'moon maths' on www.primaryresources.co.uk which drills it in further.

FallenCaryatid · 10/07/2012 22:36

If she learns 4x6=24 and 6x4=24, it will be easier for her to link that to the inverse operation that she'll be learning at the same time, that 24 divided by 4 is 6, or 24 divided by 6 is 4.

BackforGood · 10/07/2012 22:46

Agree with last couple - focus on just one table, or even one question first, and do it as a whole question "3 x 4 = 12". No point in being able to recite "4,8,12,16, etc., if you don't know how many 4s there are in that number. I used to just ask mine the same two or three questions (+ their inverse) about 20 times a day at random moments until they can just say it automatically, as you could answer "What's your name" or whatever. Then add an extra sum to it.
I suspect she can probably already do 10s, 5s and 2s maybe, and by the time you do the inverse of them, that's quite a lot she will already know. Smile

TeaOneSugar · 11/07/2012 07:02

Thanks everyone, that helps. I'll read this all again tonight when I'm more awake.

booksandbrunch I've PMd you.

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nowwearefour · 11/07/2012 07:20

Booksamdbrunch would you be ok with me pm ing you for info too as i have a similar issue?

BooksandBrunch · 11/07/2012 08:32

Nowwearefour Sending now:)

Elibean · 11/07/2012 09:59

Very similar situation - dd in Y3, assessed as 3a but struggling because of tables. She's started filling in multiplication squares every other day or so - you can find them online (google 'times tables squares') - and is already remembering a lot more.

Percy Parker is also great, and a lot more fun - but dd1 has gone off him in a big way Sad dd2, who is 5, is utterly smitten with Percy though!

littlelegsmum · 11/07/2012 10:10

My dd is 11, and desperately struggles with times tables. We've tried lots of things over time, yet she still only knows the easy ones (2,5,10's) . . Poor thing :(

AdventuresWithVoles · 11/07/2012 12:31

DS just likes to practice them for fun, 5 minutes here and there in the day I quiz him & then we do other stuff.

Insanity · 11/07/2012 12:59

Times tables is part of our bedtime routine (allow a ten minutes as it's fun!).

We choose one table to learn over the week and each step they have to get it right (ie 1x2 is, second step 2x2 is ...) if they get it wrong they have to go back to the bottom step.

The dc's love it because it prolongs bedtime if they get one wrong and have to start again (or so they think lol!)

AdventuresWithVoles · 11/07/2012 13:09

Yeah, DS loved to go to sleep doing TT questions.

TeaOneSugar · 11/07/2012 13:52

Thanks All, I think the common theme here is regular practice, I have some resources now so we'll start tonight.

I'm not sure I can cope with Percy Parker though Grin

OP posts:
Hamishbear · 11/07/2012 13:56

Maths Factor Summer School - take a look, it's brilliant.

PastSellByDate · 12/07/2012 17:03

Hi TeaoneSugar:

Huge fan of mathsfactor and there is a timestable only version too.

Other free options include:

Ambleside Primary school Table Tree: www.amblesideprimary.com/ambleweb/mentalmaths/tabletrees.html - this is slow practice of individual time tables without a lot of stress.

Usual order is 1, 2, 5, 10. Then do 4 and 8 (which effectively double to get x4 and double again to get x8). Then do 3, 6, 9 (again working patterns of 3 (doubling for 6 and tripling for 9).

With nine teach the palms up trick (so place both hands up with the pinkies next to each other). Start on the left thumb as number one and number up to ten (right thumb). Now fold over whatever you are multiplying 9 by. So if it were 2 fold over your left index finger. You'll have your left thumb up to the left of the left index finger and seven fingers & 1 thumb up to the right of your folded index finger (finger 2). The number to the left of the folded finger is the 10s digit (so in this case 1) and the number to the right of the folded finger (so count up standing fingers & thumb) is the units digit (so in this case 8). So 9 x 2 = 18. It works for all numbers up to 10.

Another trick with x9 is to note that the digits in the answer alwasy adds up to 9

1 x 9 = 9
2 x 9 = 18 (1 + 8 = 9)
3 x 9 = 27 (2 + 7 = 9)
4 x 9 = 36 (3 + 6 = 9)
5 x 9 = 45 (4 + 5 = 9)
and so on
even to 12
12 x 9 = 108 (1 + 0 + 8 = 9)

then also teach the pattern - the tens digit in the answer is always one less than the multiple (up to x10 only)

so if multiplying 9 by 2 - one less than 2 = 1. So the answer starts with 1. Then ask 1 + ? = 9. Well that's 8 - so the units will be 8. Therefore your answer is 18. It works up to x10.

After these introduce 7 times table (which is just plain hard - so needs practice - but remind your DC they know a lot of x7 from previous work).

Then if you like introduce x11 and x12. If x 12 is introduced last you only need to learn 12 x 12 = 144 and that's that.

Some fun games to really ensure you know your tables and get that practice in are:

Tux of Math command. Downlaod here: tux4kids.alioth.debian.org/tuxmath/ - it's loosely based on space invaders and you simply blow away sums by typing in the correct answer. (Also works on other areas of maths & inverse of multiplication).

TimezAttack: Download here: www.bigbrainz.com/ - based on a dungeon's and dragans theme. The game will test your child first to ascertain what level they're at and start from there. You are a little boy or girl ogre and you can run through a dungeon or castle (in the free version - you can pay for more varied formats, but the free version is enough really). Every now and then you come across a wall and snails will pop out related to a multiplication problem - so if you have 3 x 5 - you collect up the 3 snails and it will count up by 5 - so 5, 10, 15. You then throw blue energy balls at the wall and it counts up again - 5, 10 , 15 - showing dice style dots for each 5 (or appropriate number). Then the actual multiplication problem is presented vertically - 3 x 5 and you are asked to type in 15. At that point the giant ogre comes out and asks 3 multiplication sums. You have to answer them correctly enough times to defeat the ogre. I like this because it does reinforce that multiplication is essentially repeated addition.

Woodland Primary school weblinks also has a number of fun multiplication games (all free) as well: www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/maths/timestable/interactive.htm

HTH

RunAwayHome · 12/07/2012 18:20

If you have an iPhone/iPad, then Times Table Clock app is good for visual learners, and it automatically practises the division side of the question, which is useful. Good for children who haven't got on with the songs/chanting methods.

I also like Sumdog.com, a website that has a variety of games, and you can choose to have it ask tables questions (or division), amongst other things. children earn virtual coins to spend dressing up their avatar.

Also there's a series of cards with a little story that ends up with a phrase that rhymes with the answer to each question, times table rhymes I think it's called, which I have also used.

withgreatpower · 12/07/2012 21:44

We like TimezAttack!

Ferguson · 12/07/2012 22:16

Hi - exTA (male) here

PastSellByDate beat me to it, but I have used similar scheme to hers.

If you (or child) print it out from a computer, using different colours for the different GROUPS of tables it makes it easier to SEE the patterns and relationships. (use a Bold font to make it stand out more.)

I favour tables grouped similar to this :

2 4 8

3 6 12

5 10

That only leaves 7, 9 and 11 so work out a way that suits you best for them.

PSBD has already explained 9.

11 starts off OK doubling the digit (22, 33, 44 etc).

Have fun!

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