The Government wants all children to know their Times Tables from 0 x 0 to 12 x 12 by the end of Year 4. Children will undergo national tests of these in 2017. Remember to learn not just the multiplication facts (the times tables) but also the inverse (division facts). Example:

3 divided by 3 = 1

6 divided by 3 = 2

9 divided by 3 = 3

12 divided by 3 = 4

I will add to this section but below is a starting point:

Consider practising the Tables in the following order:

0 and 1s

10s and 2s

5s

11s

4s

8s

9s

6s

7s

12s

Note that the 5 Times Table is particularly useful when learning to tell the time because the hour being pointed to can be multiplied by 5 to show the number of minutes.

Practise learning the Tables in order:

e.g. 0 x 0; 0 x 1; 0 x 2. 0 x 3. Once they are learnt, learn them in reverse order: 12 x 0; 11 x 0; 10 x 0.

Once a Table is known in ascending (going up) and descending order (going down), randomise the questions. One way to do this is to take a pack of playing cards, remove all the cards with a picture on them. Choose a Times Table. Multiply the value of the top card by the Times Table you are working on.

Visual Method for Learning the Times Tables

Making and looking at arrays is a good way to learn and understand times tables. A fantastic benefit of arrays is that they can help the learner to learn their division facts while learning their times tables.

Example are below:

The example below is for 5 x 3 (or 3 x 5)

There are 3 columns and 5 rows. You can either count in ones or, more usefully, 3 or 5s.

The example below is for 6 x 3 (or 3 x 6)

This time there are 3 columns and 6 rows so add on 3 to the previous answer.

Physical Resources

Resources such as Numicon can be helpful since they allow children to experience hands on learning, and Numicon affords the learner to see for themselves why the answer is what it is. Google: Numicon. 

Games

Roll a Dice

Choose a Times Table. Roll one or two dice. Multiply the total rolled by Times Table you are working on. Remember: Not all dice at 6-sided. For the low times tables, you can play Snakes and Ladder style games where you move forward a multiple of the number rolled on the dice. Only move if it is possible to move that many squares without exceeding the final square. The final square should be both 99 and 100. 

Produce Double-Sided Cards

Write the question on one side e.g.  3 x 4 =. On the other side of the card, write the answer. Time how quickly the child can answer all the questions correctly. Remember to make the division cards too e.g. '27 divided by 3 =' is written on one side of the card with the answer being written on the other side. One benefit of this method is that the child can test themself.

Cowboy Multiplication

This is usually played 1 v 1. Each player puts their hands behind their back. Count: "3, 2, 1 go!" On "Go," each player immediately reveals a number of fingers. Each player tries to work out the answer to the number of fingers revealed by the first player by the number of fingers revealed by the second. The winner scores a point.

E.g. Player a reveals 4 fingers; Player b reveals 7 fingers so the question is 4 x 7. The first to say "28" is the winner of that round. 

Look Online for Apps

There are many good free or low cost apps for learning the Times Tables. Squeebles is a popular app. 

Repetition

The answers to Times Tables questions are learned and forgotten very quickly. Just because a child knew a Table, does not mean that they still know the answers. Repetition of practising these on a regular basis is a must.

Times Table Grids

Complete the grid using a coordinate method. An example is below. You can make a version on Microsoft Word (0r similar). Once your child can complete a grid in order, make a times table grid using random order. Make a few and randomise which is given so they do not become predictable.

Grid 1

Grid 2