Tansley Primary School
Learn, Lead, Achieve, Together We Succeed
Times Tables
Intent
Times 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 the children have learnt the times tables and related divisions by heart, they are able to work far more confidently – and efficiently – through a wide range of more advanced calculations.
At Tansley Primary School, we believe that through a variety of interactive, visual, engaging and rote learning techniques, most children can achieve the full times tables knowledge required by the end of Year 4.
It is therefore important that we approach the teaching and testing of times tables in a similar and progressive format from Year 2 to Year 6.
According to the National Curriculum 2014 the expectation of times tables in each Year Group is as follows:
Year 2: 2x, 5x, 10x
Year 3: 3x, 4x, 8x
Year 4: 6x, 7x, 9x, 11x, 12x
Year 5: All x and ÷ facts (12x12)
Year 6: All x and ÷ facts (12x12) and related language/symbols e.g. % and square root
There is now a new Statutory Multiplication Times Table Check (MTC) administered to Year 4 which will take place in the Summer term. The test is completed in school electronically , where any times table fact up to 12 x 12 is generated randomly. During the test children are required to mentally recall the multiplication fact and type in the answer with in a 6 second timeframe. The check takes no longer then 5 mins to answer 25 questions.
We will inform parents of Y4 with further information, but if you wish to know more please follow the links below. NB The information is for 2021, as the new guidance is not published until March 2022.
Information to Parents: Multiplication Check 2021
Implementation
We have decided to follow a Times Table Reward System to building up the times tables in a methodical and progressive format, ensuring that facts are retained and revised.
These times table facts will be assessed through weekly tests, taken in a set time period of 5 minutes. Initially the tests contain 40 questions, extending to 60 questions closer to the end of the scheme. The pass mark for 40 questions tests is 38+ and 57+ for the later tests of 60. Once children have achieved this score they will then progress onto the next multiplication table which follows the same sequence as that laid out by the National Curriculum. The Certificates are awarded when children complete each step.
Progress of the children's weekly results are recorded and monitored . Children’s progress through the times table is shared with parents parent consultations.
When a child has completed their journey, they then move onto number facts for their Key Stage e.g dividing by 10, 100 and 1000 or equivalent fractions, decimal and percentages.
Impact
By working on a systematic approach to the times tables and with practise within school and at home, children will have a sound understanding and knowledge of the multiplication facts by the end of Year 4. These can then be applied to skills within calculation, problem solving and reasoning. Children will apply their understanding and knowledge of multiplication facts with more confidence, to more sophisticated multiplications e.g. 6000 x 40 etc. This should result in a greater confidence and ability in using multiplication facts and therefore raise attainment of children's work and results in weekly, termly, non-statutory and statutory testing of mathematics as a whole, throughout the school.
Homework
It is expected that all children from Year 2 onwards practise the times table they are currently working on in preparation for the weekly Tansley Times Tables Tests which take place on Fridays.
Please note - these tests are designed to test times tables knowledge, rather than to teach it. There are many ways in which children can learn times tables - for example, playing games, quick-fire questions from an adult, chanting tables, writing the tables out and using songs, websites or apps (see suggestions at the bottom of the page). This learning needs to take place before the knowledge gained can be assessed in a test.
Times table Rock Stars (TTRS).
To support the rapid recall of multiplication facts, at Tansley we promote the use of using Times Table Rock Stars (TTRS). All children in Year 2 and beyond have been issued with a Times Table Rock Star login, which can be found in their reading diaries. The order of the time tables is mirrored by the system used in school, and children can access practising the times tables which they are currently working on as well as those previously learnt.
Tansley’s Times Tables Tests
The complete set of weekly times tables is given below. If you would like to practise these at home, open the file, press F9 to generate a new test and then print. In this way you can generate an unlimited number of different tests for each area of learning.
The tests are given in the following order. Remember to press F9 once the file is open to generate a new test, and then print the page. The tests are not designed to be filled in electronically on your computer - they are to be printed out and filled in with a pencil.
You may also decide that you would like to use the following website to test your speed and knowledge.
See the internal link below to our Multiplication celebration day 2021 : Tansley Rocks!