TERRIFIC TOP TIPS

Scatter tables - Write down the multiples  of 10  in random places on a sheet of paper. Call out a times table question (e.g. 7 x 10) and your child should point to the correct answer. Be creative in how these can be presented - don’t be afraid to make it colourful and large.

Paint the Squares Topmarks Paint the Squares 

One of the best ways of learning the 2, 5 and 10 times tables is by recognising the patterns that the multiples create on a 100 square. This online activity allows the numbers to be coloured in and the pattern to easily seen.  Ask your child to say the numbers in order as the multiples are painted.

Variation: remove the numbers, leaving behind only the painted squares. What times tables Does it show? Point to a specific square and ask what number is there? Ask the child to explain how they know.

Variation: Imagine that you are painting the squares on a 100 square. Can the child recognise if it is the two, five or 10 times tables?

Counting Stick - Digital virtual counting stick 

Many children will have learned with a counting stick at school so will understand how this can be used! Perhaps they can teach the adults! You might even want to use your creative talents and  make your own!

Test the adult – Your child can make up their own  questions for you e.g. What is 60 divided by 10? Answer these correctly and incorrectly so the child needs to tell you if you are correct! 

Using triangles with missing information is a great way to visualise the relationships between multiplication and division. Perhaps you could have your own whiteboard and have two pieces of information, challenging the learner to work out the missing value. My YouTube video will help you to understand how this can be done. 

Spuq Times Tables is great for pupils who are developing their knowledge of multiplication facts. 

Choose easy mode and it asks the questions in order. When you master that, choose hard. What I love about that level is that it still shows you the questions that you have already answered in a list on the left-hand side, which is really useful. For example, if you already know 5×2 = 10, you can use that to help you work out 6×2 by simply adding on to the number 10. I love that feature and you will too!

I love Spug - that giraffe reminds me of a song...

Girrafes hold their heads up high, 

Eagles flap their wings to fly, 

Caterpillar, caterpillar, likes to crawl,

And hedgehogs curl up small.

Once the multiples of x2, x5 and x10 are recognised, why not try this great challenge task. As this links only to a demo version of Multiplication Grids II, it only has these tables available - perfect!