Best way to help year 4 DC learn and be secure with times tables?

[WhenDoISleep]

DC1 is in year 4 and is struggling with his times tables. School think he is doing OK (they have a scheme for learning tables with 1-1 tests) but when asked any kind of multiplication question at home, he is like a deer in the headlights. We have just struggled through a homework which used basic multiplication facts which should be well within his capabilities, but it was incredibly painful on both sides. I'm beginning to be concerned that not being secure in knowing and recalling his times tables is going to lead to him falling behind in maths.

What are the best strategies you have found that worked with DC to help them?

We have tried workbooks, flash cards and saying the tables out loud - I'd really like to know if there is a 'magic key' that can make it click for him.

I would say for that there is no easy way out. Practice practice practice. Give him timed practice everyday at home, 50 questions a day. He will master the timetable in 2 weeks.

DOn't know about any "magic key", but it is important that he doesn't just learn the answers - for eg. 4,8,12,16 etc.... He needs instant recall - so when he recites it, do 2,2,4...2,3,6....2,4,8 etc. I have found that the best way for my child.

Get him to make a times tables grid like this one. Sit with him while he does it to make sure he's putting in the correct numbers. Have a big pile of buttons handy for him to use to figure out the answers. Did this with dd and seeing the finished grid that she had made helped to build her confidence.

repetition worked for us. I used to call out the questions and have them answer but I found what was better was for all of us (we'd do it in the car together) just recite the tables over and over - it really is the only way to learn. Start at 2 times tables and say them 3 times. Then move on. It is boring but if everyone does it (mum/dad/older sib/whoever is there), it isn't so bad

Also ask him to visualise the numbers written down as he says them. But basically it is repetition over and over again.

I know a few parents who've had success with those singing tables CDs. Also you could try The Great Tables Challenge - just put it into Google and it'll come up. Great way to get in a quick bit of work.

www.google.co.uk/search?q=times.tables.grid&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-gb&client=safari#imgrc=Wu7DmrZ3F4c5hM:

Times table rockstar programme which school sent a link home for has clinched success for DS (9).
He was fairly fluent but not perfect nor terribly consistent before. His speed and accuracy are fantastic since he's been 'playing' on this a couple of times a week. I think they use it in school too.

Yes agree with Starry, about learning the full thing not just the answers

the best way is the old-fashioned singing method

2 times 2 is 4
2 times 3 is 6

etc - almost in a sing-song saying it together. That is how we learned them and I think it really gets them in your head.

Rote learning really is fine for tables- just saying over and over again. It’s good too to look at the tables and see that actually as you learn you have less to learn. So everyone knows the 1x table so that’s one less out of all the others (eg 1x2 or 1x5 is one out of the 2 times table and 5 times) then once you know 3 times then you know one of each of the other tables eg 3x6 is the same as 6x3 so once you learn the easy ones - 1, 2, 3, 5 and 10 times tables there aren’t actually very many more answers to learn.

Does that make sense? Maybe write all times table out then score off each as you learn but also the one out of the other list- so once you learn 2 x table score out 4x2 and 8x2 from the 4 and 8 tables as well.

Hit the button app

I'm quite reassured that a lot of you are saying to use rote learning - that's how I learnt and I think that's what I'm going to get him to concentrate on doing for the next few weeks. I think that unless he gets a handle on them soon, his confidence in maths is going to slip.

I have heard of the rockstar program but have been reluctant to try it because he tends to get too attached to using an app/program, rather than actually absorbing and learning the information.

I second hit the button app, it's amazing.

I’ll chip in and say don’t worry, it’s quite nerve racking being put on the spot especially when School say he’s fine. Maybe he picks up that you are worried about this.

Also, I studied A level maths (got an A) and did pure mathematics as part of my degree at university. I’m crap at my times tables. Even now when I’m trying to remember them with the dcs. My brain doesn’t remember by rote - I can get the answer but my brain takes a different route (I have a sort of picture in my head).

It didn’t slow me down in maths - I was always top of my class.

It does annoy me in day to day life but only because it takes me a few seconds to get 87 (Which I do by thinking 7 squared is 49, plus 7 = 56 😬). I’ve recited 87 a million times and it never sticks.

(8*7 was but an example. I have many more!)

Yep, I third hit the button on the top marks website. It's great fun and just 5 mins a day makes a big difference.

TT rockstars has been a massive hit with DD in Y3. She got the highest points score in her school last week.
My own Y7 and 8 love it too, the concept is fab.

Does anyone have a code or log in for this tt Rockstar thing?if DC at school that doesn't do it?

Squeebles app.
Practise in the car on way to school.
Silly times tables during family meals:
Would you like some 6x8 apple crumble dd?
Yes 48 please.
Would you like some 7x13 black pepper on that
No 91 thank you
(Perhaps you had to be there...)
Worked for dd, who learned all her tables up to 13 over Christmas.

Squeebles! There are a couple of good iPad games, we have Squeebles times tables which has a learning section then a test section, Squeebles flip which helps them understand they can flip the tables sum around, and Squeebles fractions.

I try to get my daughter to do 10-15 minutes every day or two, of the ones she's a bit weaker on. It's very good.

Wow! Lots of ideas. Believeitornot isn't 8 x 7 the hardest one to recall? I must have read that somewhere.

Following with interest, we're in exactly the same situation.

With apps like hit the button is it all against the clock? Is this a good way to learn or does it just add unnecessary pressure if you're not that confident? I remember as a child having tables test where the teacher read out the questions and I hated it! I just panicked and froze.

AndhowcouldIeverrefuse
It is for me 😆 plus 67 and I even took a few seconds to get 1112 today

7x8... I am strong at maths (degree level) and I didn't learn my times table by rote as I struggled to do so (dyslexia). I do know how to calculate them very quickly mind using various strategies. 2, 5, 10, 3, 4 easy for most. As is doubling and subtracting. So 7 x a number is, 5 x plus double x.

Maths later on is more than rote learning but thinking around a problem. In early years, it helps to pass 11+ , but later on calculators come in.. and problem solving/ability to analyse is much more important.

However, I love 7x8... easy when you know the trick.. 5678 . 7*8 is 56.... 5678...

We've got this placemat. I think this style of grid helps to get a sense of the relationships between the sets.

www.littlewigwam.com/placemat.php?code=rmultisquare