Mega Maths Month - May

Dear Parents and caregivers

Times tables are vital parts of mathematical knowledge. We use our times tables every day in all facets of life. When a child confidently knows their tables, other mathematical learning becomes easier and more rewarding. The instant recall of times tables, particularly at the maths levels expected at this age group is a necessity.

Here’s what we are going to do: Over the month of May we are going to set a whole school target for the improvement of our times table knowledge.

To find a baseline, every student will be tested on 100 times tables. The test will be timed, with a cut off of 6 minutes. This is to reinforce that times tables knowledge should be fluent and not have to be “worked out.” Students will come home with their results on the Friday of each week of May either in their books or on a google doc. This can be sited, signed, discussed and returned to school.

Obviously many students do know their tables well. We want every student to have something to work for, therefore both score and time will be factors taken into account.

There is no one best way to commit times tables to memory, so we have listed a variety of resources and methods below, from the “tried and true”, through to websites. Five to ten minutes daily at school and at home will hopefully see our whole school scores and times improve.

SOME IDEAS TO HELP YOUR CHILD IMPROVE THEIR TIMES TABLES.

1. There are literally 1000s of web sites you can find if you search for “multiplication times tables,” “Multiplication Flashcards”or “times tables games.” Here are some of the best to get your started:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise/topic/times-tables The BBC’s website has educational material including a great section on times tables.

www.mathisfun.com – Some great tips on how to learn your times tables in the number and then multiplication section.

www.multiplication.com – Lots of good times tables ideas and games.

http://www.helpingwithmath.com/resources/online_flashcards/flashcard_multiplication03.htm - Simple online flash cards.

2. Don’t forget http://www.mathletics.co.nz/ which your child should be familiar with and have a log on and password for. The Year 8 students have Maths Buddy

3. Of course there are 100’s of great apps for those families with smart phones and ipads. Just search times tables in your app store.

4. Flash Cards - The question and answer are shown on the flip-side to help you keep up with whatever speed your child works through the cards. Working through these cards will help your child memorize and recall the basic multiplication facts.

– Play memory with flash cards which are one sided.

5. Deck of Cards - Using a deck of cards, the top card is the number you multiply by. Then, time the student as you flip cards in the deck until every card is complete. Face cards do not count unless you want to have the students learn times eleven, twelve and thirteen.

- This game is played by two students with a deck of cards (jokers and face cards removed.) Students shuffle the deck and deal them all out face down. Each player flips over a card from their pile. The first player to call out the correct answer gets to collect two flipped cards. If a player calls out the wrong answer the other player gets the cards. Players continue until all the cards have been flipped over. The winner is the player with the most cards at the end.

As always you can contact your child’s teacher if you have any concerns or would like to discuss this further.

Kind regards,

Balmacewen staff.