5 times tables

Hello!

Following on from my post about the Multiplication Tables Check, the next few blogs will focus on some top tips for each of the times tables.

5 times tables! Children begin counting in 5s in Year 1 and then formally learn it as a times tables in Year 2 (along with the 2s and 10s). Although children tend to find the 5s easier than some others, there are still some top tips to help remember them.

These tips are particularly helpful later down the line, for example when learning the other times tables and faced with all the answers (products) and working out, which is in the 5 times table?

For example in a question like: Which is the correct answer to 5 x 8:

56 32 48 40

In the 5 times tables, if a product ends in 0 then it is going to be in the 5 or 10 times table.

If it ends in a 5 it is definitely in the 5 times table.

Therefore, you can straight away answer the above question, as 40 is the only answer ending in a 5 or 0.

A lot of children are most comfortable with their 10 times tables.

Use them to answer your 5s!

5 is half of 10 so we can find 10x a number, and then half it.

To find 5 x 7:

Find 10 x 7 = 70

Then halve it = 35

So, 5 x 7 = 35

Counting securely in 5s is also helpful for counting in 50s (which is learnt in Year 3).

Counting in 50s is ten times bigger than counting 5s:

5, 10, 15, 20 ...

50, 100, 150, 200 ...

It's also very helpful for counting minutes on a clock. If the minute hand is pointing at the 4, then we know it's 20 minutes past, because 4 x 5 = 20.

As in my previous blog, regularly practise times tables:

• Partner games

  • Times Table Tennis! One of you 'serves' a times table and the other 'passes back' the answer. Use a tennis motion with your arms when you're passing the facts back and forth! Challenge: provide the answer, they have to send back the multiplication fact.

  • Rock, Paper, Scissors, Times Tables! Both of you clap and say "Rock, Paper, Scissors, Times Tables" then you each old up a number of fingers. Times the two numbers together. Whoever says the answer first wins a point. First to 10 points wins. If you're an adult playing with a child, put your fingers up as the times tables they are specifically working on, such as the 5s.

• Chanting and skip counting

  • Count forwards in jumps of 5. Count up to 12 x 5

  • Count backwards in 5s

  • Set challenges, such as walking up the stairs and count in 5s on every step. When they come down the stairs, count backwards.

• Songs

  • Look online for songs and rhymes for times tables (I particularly like 'Scratch Garden')

  • Make your own songs!

• Practise division facts too

  • It's important to practise division facts. Mix them into your games and activities.

• Quick fire questions

  • Mix multiplication and division questions

  • Make sure you test all the times tables, don't forget the lower ones like 2s and 3s!

  • Build it into your routine: travelling to school, when making dinner, walking the dog

Supporting your child with their times tables:

• Celebrate success!

  • For some children, just sitting down and doing a few questions is positive

  • If 20 minutes practise is too overwhelming for your child, set the aim of doing 10 minutes. And celebrate when they achieve it.

  • If they scored 18 last time, encourage them to aim for 19 or 20 this time. Don't expect them to get 25.

• Play partner games with them

• Sit with them whilst they do online practise

• Practise with them! How quickly can you do your 5 times tables?!

• Little and often is key. Practise for 10 minutes a day, rather than spending an hour once a week.

Check back in soon for specific tips on the 4s and 8s!

Feel free to drop me an email or book a call with me for any specific help you might want or if you'd be interested in booking tutoring or home-education lessons for your child.

I look forward to starting our learning journey together!

Alice