Times Tables

This document provides lots of fun and simple ways in which you can build fluency with times tables at home. You could play these games on a car journey or as you walk to school

Simple ways to help your child become fluent with their times tables

Multiplication Tables are at the heart of mental arithmetic, which in itself helps form the basis of a child’s understanding and ability when working with number. Once a child has learnt their multiplication tables by heart, they are then able to work far more confidently and efficiently through a wide range of more advanced calculations.

At Kingshurst Primary School, we believe that through a variety of interactive, visual and engaging techniques, all children can achieve the full multiplication tables knowledge by the time they leave Primary School. The new National Curriculum (2014) states that by the end of year 4, pupils should be able to recall multiplication and division facts for multiplication tables up to 12x12.

Children in Year 4 are also required to take a multiplication tables check (MTC) in the Summer Term, this is optional in 2021. The purpose of the check is to determine whether pupils can fluently recall their times tables up to 12, which is essential for future success in mathematics. This means it is important for the children to learn their multiplication tables facts and to be able to recall them quickly and accurately.

Information about the MTC check can be found here

To support children’s learning of multiplication tables we have a Multiplication Table Challenge in school for years 3, 4, 5 and 6. Every child is assessed by their class teacher and placed on a Multiplication Table Challenge which is appropriate to their ability. There are four awards to complete:

To progress onto the next award, children need to complete a timed three, five, eight or ten minute (depending on their stage) quiz which will be given during mathematics lessons and achieve full marks three/four times. The reason for the limited time is to ensure children are doing a mental calculation rather than working it out with support and this also supports them in preparing for the MTC test. Once an award has been completed children will receive a wristband and certificate (a badge is given for platinum).

Helping at home:

Please support and encourage children learning their times tables at home. This will ensure the importance of learning multiplication tables is enhanced and its profile is raised within school. In addition it will encourage fluidity throughout school.

We recommend using the following: