Learning the times tables (Y2) - your best tips; books, apps even, approaches please

[iwantavuvezela]

I would like to help my Y2 daughter learn her times tables. I wonder if anyone had any tips for me with regard to suitable books; flash cards they had used, ipad app ....
I took a cd out of the library ... but looking for something I could use for 5 minutes a day, and think the CD might become tiresome quite soon!
Any advice appreciated

Squeebles is your friend, it's an app available on android or apple devices.

What really helped us was to learn the first 6 of the table by heart so they can gain confidence, then add one more on each day.

DD knows all her tables by heart but I also taught her methods for when she gets stuck. For instance if you don't know a table find the nearest one you do know and use it as a jumping off method. So if you don't know 6x6 but do know 5x6 then use 5x6 and add 6 more.

If you google times table generator then it takes you to a site where you can print of worksheets. These are great, I really believe the act of writing something down reinforces the fact.

carol vorderman "times tables made easy" has been surprisingly brilliant compared to all the other things we have used. Isbn 9781409380610

Thanks for those will look into them

Ketchup I hear you! However I was hoping to have a few "tricks" to keep us motivated - I ask verbally/try do as we walk to school, but we are often interuppted on way etc. I know that sometimes you can find a fun one that just clicks!

Lumpy will look at squeebles later on tonight, and Striptop will look for Carol ..... (without a recommendation I probably would not have thought of carol voderman .....)

Ketchup. - was that before radios in cars? Can just imagine the reception I would get if I turned capitol radio off and suggested that!

Though I do sometimes throw one in when they ask for something.
Dc: can I watch the tv?
Me: what's seven sevens?
Dc: 49?
Me: yes you can.

Hi I wantavuvezela

first off helpful to know order to learn times tables

Year 2 (2/ 5/ 10) - but should also learn 0 & 1 (although schools can gloss over this)

from there it's about learning families and power of doubling

x4/ x 8 - in x2 family:

4 x 2 is the same thing as 2 x 2 = 4 and double 4 = 8

8 x 2 is the same thing as 2 x 2 = 4 - double for 8 and double again for 16. (or double answer for 4 times table 4 x 2 = 8 and double = 16).

x3 crucial (root along with x2 to many tables)
This one you have to learn and counting by 3s can be tricky. Nice to learn with counting games like snakes and ladders (play with one die and then count out multiples of 3 (1 x 3 to 6 x 3) - and play with two dice for up to x12.

then learn x 6 and x12

x9 (great patterns - have posted elsewhere extensively)
x11 (also great patterns & trick - have posted extensively elsewhere)

that leaves 7 x 7 = 49 (know all other x7 from other tables) - so easiest to think 7 x 7 = 49 which is a swine rhyme.

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Recommended game resources:

BBC Bitesize KS1 Maths: www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/ks1/maths/ - especial camel sequences & adventures times tables (this is Y2 appropriate).

Math Champs: www.mathschamps.co.uk/#home - multiple match 1 (in 5 -7) reviews 2, 5 & 10 and multiple matches in 7 - 9 provide practice in x3/ x4; x9 and x6/x7/x8 and in 9 - 11 multiple match 5 has x11 & x12 practice.

My girls liked multiplication.com games: www.multiplication.com/games/all-games - but both played this once they were pretty confident with all times tables to x12.

Woodland Junior School Maths Zone: resources.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/maths/timestable/index.html - this links to multiplication resources & then if you click games links to free on-line games for practice. You may have to try things out a bit - to avoid games that throw too much at your DC too soon.

I also would recommend Timez Attack (the free two platform version is fine): www.bigbrainz.com/ - it tests where your child is at and then casts your child as an ogre who runs through a dungeon or a castle solving multiplication problems. They're quizzed every now and then and at the end of each level they have an exam with a giant ogre. If you miss a problem too often, you'll get it again on the next level - so they don't go easy on you. This did stress out my DD2 who didn't like the ogre, but DD1 absolutely loved it and played a lot.

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Off computer:

Play snakes and ladders practice times tables. Use two dice for up to x12. Roll dice and the roll x whatever number you're practicing - say 2. You may need to play the board more than once or forwards and backwards with bigger numbers - but great practice.

Play mutliplication SNAP. Use an ordinary deck of cards - Ace = 1, 2 - 9 as numbers and Jack/ Queen/ King = 10. We tend to write the number we're practicing down - so say x2 on a post it. Shuffle cards, place deck face down by post-it. Pick a card - flip it over on the table. Say it's 8. So what's 2 x 8. First to say 16 gets the card. Carry on until you've used up all cards. Winner is the one with most cards. We started this letting DDs do well - but now we just all go for it. DD2 (Y4) takes real pride in beating her sister (Y6) at this.

HTH

There are some really good free apps. Dd loves them.

We listen to "Percy Parker" in the car.

I downloaded some times tables songs from itunes. We have the 2 x table in the style of Tupac . They do drive me a bit mental on car journeys though. But it got DS in the habit of reciting them.

We've also got the usbourne times table flash cards.

And we use a pack of playing cards to generate times tables. Take out the picture cards then use ace - 10 to multiply by 2,3, 4 or whatever one you need to practice.

I've also been known to demonstrate with lego mini-figures and chocolate buttons.

Little and often seems to be working for DS.

I taught them with alan's methods (he'll probably be along shortly) then maintained quick recall with Squeebles.

We use Squeebles a lot as well.

But the best: having a blackboard in the dining room with 6 random ones each day or every second day depending how tired DD is in the evening.

It is fun.

Thanks everyone, that is really useful.
Pastaellbydate, really informative ......
Much appreciated,

I wouldn't recommend just learning them parrot fashion at first as the point is to know the mechanics behind them.

Once my DS learned how to count in 2's, 5's etc and understood what he was actually learning I have taught him various tricks to help remember them for tests etc. The Usbourne Junior Maths Dictionary gives some useful tips and you can google tricks to remember them. 2's, 10's and 11's are the easiest to give a young child confidence with them to begin with.