Timetables tips (y3)

[Outandup]

DS(8) is in y3 and is struggling somewhat with certain timestables (x 4, 7, 8) so I am looking for tips please on what made it easier if your DC was the same?

The school uses TT Rockstars and MyMaths (the latter not used for TT though) for practice. I have just bought the book Times Fables after seeing it recommended but after glancing through it I’m not sure I have much confidence in it!

DS is getting frustrated because he’s stuck on Level 5 (of a regular test the classes do) whereas some of his friends are on Level 12-19 etc. I spoke to the teacher and she is not concerned yet and said he needs to practice regularly, and she also gave me a copy of his latest results so we can see where the gaps are preventing him from progressing and to try him practicing on paper instead.

Times tables fables really does work. You need to stick with it. My only advice is repetition, repetition, repetition.
This website looks dodgy but it's actually really good. www.timestables.co.uk/

Hi,

4 x tables are double two times tables and the final digit repeats every 5x so 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40, 44, 48 etc. Or, they can double, then double again which is something he should be confident doing.
Example 4×9: double 9 is 18, double 18 is 36

8 x tables are double the 4s - or double, double and double again.
Example: 8×6: double 6 is 12, double 12 is 24, double 24 is 48.

The 7s are just horrible and I don't think there are any tips and tricks for remembering them.

Focus on 4s and 8s first as technically the 7 x table doesn't need to be learnt until Y4.

Little and often is good - you could learn them on the way to and from school or in the car. There are lots of songs on the internet - BBC Bitesize have 'supermovers' which are videos with dances that are fun and there are lots of games on the internet.

DD2 has a book that is like a paper version of the website Dodgeit linked to. Basically writing out the times tables over and over but in different formats. She does one column a night, it takes 2 min max and she has a table of all the answers to refer to if she needs to - the idea is not to test her knowledge but just get it embedded through writing it out repeatedly.

This approach really helped DD1 (now y5) and seems to be helping DD2 y3.

We tried various online times table games but they were just frustrating until the DDs had a reasonable level of knowledge

Ex teacher here. The key is repetition. Chant the whole number sentence. E.g seven eights are fifty six. 7x8=56. Repeat, repeat, repeat. Then quiz - seven eights? The brain automatically supplies the answer without thinking.
Start with one table and four facts 1x7=7, 2x7=14, 3x7=21, 4x7=28. Chant and quiz in order, then randomly. When those facts are secure add two more until the table is known.
When you move on to another table, keep revising known tables as well. You can also link division facts 7x8=56, 8×7=56, 56÷7=8, 56÷8=6
It's useful to know the 'tricks' to work out tables but solid memory of facts will free the brain up to work on problem solving and higher skills more easily right through school.

Use flashcards. I think that is the fastest way. It worked for me and for my ds. It took a few days and stuck with him. So you go through each set 7, 8, 9 etc times tables and then repeat. Go over it every night. After a few days they just stick.

My Year 2 DD absolutely detests TT Rockstars (and also hated Numbots before that) we've just discovered the Doodle Learning apps, and their Times Tables app is absolutely brilliant, first time she's actively enjoying them! She does about 5 minutes a day and she's made brilliant progress already :)

Learn 2,4,8. Kid can see the pattern.
3,6,9. pattern flow.
11, 12.
The 7s would be covered.

repeat timetables daily for only 5 mins or less. Writing recall may be easier rather than saying it. Do it during holiday and just that for 2 weeks the 2 to 12 timetables fill in the blank from free timetable work sheet online. During school with other subjects, sports etc can be harder on time as you want kid to relax after full school days.

Doodle Tables is great as it starts with counting in 2s, 5s etc.TT Rockstars just tests knowledge rather than teaching.

The songs on this are quite good: www.amazon.co.uk/Professor-Mathmo-Voyage-Times-Tables/dp/B00BIKDF9E (and the ones on the follow up CD are even better).

DD used the squeebles times table app - it teaches you each table in stages with lots of repetition then you can do tests. She used to do 2 tests a night and try to beat her score. It would be a real struggle to get her to do this some nights but we persevered and she was one of the first in her class to know them.

The white rose 1 minute maths app is also good - pure practice with no extra flashy bits and each test is 1 minute so again you can aim to improve your score.