[SENco-forum] Times Tables

What age? Whatever age they are entirely dependant on their memory

Strictly speaking there are expectations about the 'learning' of times 
tables that are couched in the Primary Numeracy Strategy.

In there it suggests that children should have knowledge of the 2,5 & 10 
times tables by the end of KS1. Their knowledge should extend to the 3 & 4 
times tables by the end of Year 3 with the 8 & 9 times tables joining in 
during Year 4. The 6 & 7 times tables should then be added so that by the 
end of Year 5 they have the 1 to 10 times tables under their belt and can 
turn their attention to 11 and 12 in Year 6 if it is deemed necessary.

This, of course, is only a guideline and different children will be able to 
access these tables at different ages depending on a whole range of other 
contributory factors including their home life. I would say that this bit by 
bit approach is sensible as I think that trying to teach the whole list of 
times tables can be extremely daunting, particularly for children with 
difficulties.

I also believe that just knowing the tables is only half the battle, we have 
to give children the practise of using the tables constructively to solve 
problems and limiting the range of tables that you are working with with a 
particular age group makes this easier for the children.

As far as when the concept of multiplication is taught I would suggest that 
if they haven't been taught grouping by Year 1 then it is already too late. 
Don't forget that the 1 times table is still a times table and anything that 
you can do with the 1 times table can also be done with the 8 times table or 
the 954 times table.

This is a serious point, the link between addition and multiplication and 
counting and multiplication should be taught earlier than the actual 
knowledge of the numbers in any multplication table (which is, in effect, an 
artificial mnemonic for number facts that can be calculated).

Tim Rupp.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: <SEN at tringham.net>
To: "Becta Senco" <senco-forum at lists.becta.org.uk>
Sent: Thursday, November 08, 2007 6:37 PM
Subject: RE: [SENco-forum] Times Tables

> What age?  Whatever age they are entirely dependant on their memory
> capabilities.
>
> At school age 9 my bright friends had all 1-12 down pat.  I could not do
> 7/8/9.  I only mastered the 9x when I was about 30 when a friend showed me
> how to use my fingers.  I still avoid 7x8 & for 9x7  I use strategies like
> fingers or 1x7=70-7=63  and I have a 135 IQ.
>
> Sharon
>
>
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