Multiplication Tables Check

Hello!

The Year 4 Multiplication Tables Check is almost here!

Between Monday 1st - Friday 12th June all Year 4 pupils will sit the Multiplication Tables Check. They will be asked 25 questions and have 6 seconds to answer. They will be tested on their 2 - 12 times tables, although the questions will focus primarily on the 6, 7, 8, 9 and 12s. These are the trickiest tables!

Even beyond the Multiplication Tables Check, it is valuable for children to regularly practise their times tables. They are useful for many areas of Maths, for example Fractions and Area. As pupils move into Year 5 & 6 and beyond, it is beneficial for them to have their times tables at the tips of their fingers for the more complex Maths topics.

Top Games to Practise Times Tables:

• Online games

  • Particularly timed games that get children used to having a timer on the screen

  • Encourage children to beat their score and time!

• 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 find tricky, to practise them (children will have a tendency do the numbers they're most comfortable with!)

• Chanting and skip counting

  • Choose a times table and count forwards in jumps of those numbers. Count up to 12 x that number

  • Count backwards

  • Set challenges, such as walking up the stairs and count in 8s on every step. When they come down the stairs, count backwards.

• Songs

  • Look online for songs and rhymes for times tables

  • 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 12 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 each of the times tables!

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

Top Tips - Multiplication Check.

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