Objectives
• To count forwards and backwards in multiples of 9
• To know by heart all multiplication facts for 9 up to 9 x 12
• To know all division facts for 9 up to 108
• To count forwards and backwards in multiples of 7
• To know by heart all multiplication facts for 7 up to 7 x 12
• To know all division facts for 7 up to 84
Things you can do at home to help
At every opportunity practise counting forwards and backwards in multiples of 7 and 9. You could ask your child to count or take it in turns – a game we call ‘tennis’. You say 7, they say 14, you say 21, etc.
Ask your child to use skip counting when they count. This is where they use their fingers to represent each group of 8 they count. You can then ask them to stop and ask how many groups they have counted. This is then the multiplication fact. For example, count, 9, 18, 27, 36. Your child should display 4 fingers. You can then encourage your child to say: four groups of 9 is 36. 4 x 9 = 36. You can then talk about the division facts: 36 ÷ 9 = 4, etc. This activity can then lead onto your child knowing their 9 times table and division facts, where you can ask ‘quickfire’ questions. It is important that you always relate multiplication facts to the division facts.
There are usually one or two multiplication facts in each times table that are more difficult. When you notice that your child is stumbling over the same fact each time, try to give them extra practice. You could even get your child to write the fact out in a fun way on a piece of card and then stick it somewhere prominent (like on the fridge) so that they have an extra reminder!
The danger with too much rote learning of times tables is that children can fail to see the use of times tables in real life. Try to take opportunities to get your child to use multiplication in problem solving, for example working out quantities for scaling up a recipe, or calculating the price of more than one item of shopping.
Make it fun by turning times table practice into a competition or challenge for your child, by timing them and keeping a record of their scores. You could even join in yourself and set a challenge to learn a more difficult times table, such as the 13 times table and get your child to test you at the end of the week in exchange for testing them…
Encourage your child to make a number sequence using flashcards to show the 6 and 8 times table. You can then take one number away and ask your child to explain what the number is and how they know.
Links to games that will help