By the end of Year 4, children are expected to know their times tables and corresponding division facts up to 12 x 12, as stated in the National Curriculum. They should be able to recall a multiplication or division fact within about five seconds.
A couple of weeks ago, we checked this for children in Key Stage 2 – and got some really encouraging results.
Out of a total score of 25, children in Year 4 got an average of 19.0 out of 25 – that’s a really big jump from when we tested the same children in the summer term (when they were in Year 3), and, of course, there are still two more terms to keep on improving.
We’ve seen similarly encouraging results in Years 5 and 6. 90% of the Year 6 children scored over 20 out of 25, and their average score is 23.6.
In school, we explore times tables so children have a secure understanding of the concept of multiplication and division, and the various patterns and sequences related to each times table. There’s also regular practice in each class. We’ve also introduced regular tables to practise at home, followed by times table tests each Friday. Thank you for supporting your child with this.
If you’re confident your child knows their tables, don’t forget to help them know related facts. So, 3 x 8 = 24, which means…
- 8 x 3 = 24
- 24 ÷ 8 = 3
- 24 ÷ 3 = 8
- 30 x 8 = 240
- 3 x 80 = 240
- 30 x 80 = 2,400
- 3 x 0.8 = 2.4
- and so on!
Top tip! 7 x 8 = 56 is probably the hardest fact to know. Here’s a way that might help… Reverse the statement: 56 = 7 x 8. Can you see the sequence of the digits? 5, 6, 7, 8… 5 6 is 7 8s…