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What's the best way to learn times tables?

29 replies

Lindy2 · 01/01/2016 23:02

Does anyone have any advice as to the best way to learn times tables? DD7 is in year 3 but so far she doesn't seem to have done much times tables work at school.
She has a times table book and is showing quite an interest in the times tables, copying them out mostly. As this level of enthusiasm is such a rarity I want to encourage it.
She can count in 2s easily (and 5s and 10s) but couldn't really recite her 2x table in full ie. 1x2=2, 2x2=4 etc. We have worked on that together this week just by chanting it together and doing little quizzes and she has managed well.
I was planning to move on to the 3x table once she is 100% secure with the 2s.
Other than what we are doing is there any other good methods? I think when I learnt it was pure repetition and memorising.
By way of background she has concentration issues (possible ADHD) and is in the lower set for maths. I think there is an issue with her being disinterested in the lessons at school and disengaging rather than actual lack of ability. Others in her class may be doing times tables already but her teacher probably doesn't think she is ready. Rather than her falling further behind I want to help her with these at home especially as this has her focus.
Also, what would be the normal expectations regarding times table knowledge for the end of year 3? When should they know them all?
Many thanks!

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
merrymouse · 03/01/2016 10:19

7x8

BertrandRussell · 03/01/2016 10:26

Just repetition, singing, chanting, testing and bribery.

And for the love of heaven, don't just do them in order- they need to be able to do 9x7 instantly - not by starting at 1x7 and working through.

And if you're doing it, try to go up to 15x. Particularly if you have a child that struggle with Mathis at all.

Oinkyoinky · 04/01/2016 15:27

I made some grids - 12 x 12 with numbers 1-12 in random order along top and left side - if my dc wants to have any screen time, they have to do fill in the gaps and correct any mistakes. Then they get 20 mins screen time. First time it took 20 mins to complete a grid, next time 15, etc etc until now it takes about 2 mins! Bribery but it works, and I did all at once, no learning certain easy ones first, just blitzed it all at once!

LooseAtTheSeams · 04/01/2016 17:04

Little and often helps more than trying to do a lot once or twice a week. My DCs approached learning tables very differently - what worked for one didn't appeal to the other but they learned them, just in different ways! So I would say try different things, go with what seems to work at a particular time. Don't worry if she remembers 3X and then seems to forget it for a while - just keep revising and it will stick forever! Children who are really gifted at maths learn or work tables out incredibly fast - mine are good at maths but had to work at it!
I also did random testing e.g. when DC attempted to cadge snacks they had to answer a times table question! I did give them a second chance, I'm not that mean...

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