Landywood Primary School
Multiplication at Landywood
At Landywood, our goal is for children to solve problems as efficiently as possible. Having quick recall of number facts plays a vital role in achieving this efficiency. When children don’t have to stop and work out basic facts, it frees up their working memory and they can focus on the problem at hand. For example, it’s much easier to use a known fact within a written method than to first calculate the fact and then apply it. The more steps you add, the more likely you are to make mistakes.
This is why knowing times tables is so important. It's also one of the reasons behind the introduction of the Year 4 Multiplication Tables Check, which became a statutory assessment in 2022. These online checks are carried out in June.
For official parent guidance click here
Many of you may be familiar with chanting or singing times tables—these traditional methods still have value! However, this page focuses on different approaches. Below, you’ll find a variety of games and apps designed to make practising multiplication facts more engaging and enjoyable for both children and parents. These interactive methods often lead to better recall and a more positive learning experience.
A guide on how one minute maths supports your child can be found here
A guide on how TTRS supports your child can be found here
So, how can you help?
● Ensure children practise being flexible with their facts.
● Start from different points in the times tables.
● Mix in related division facts.
● Vary the activities they use to practise - this will help keep it fresh and will help ensure they develop number sense.
● Daily practise – little and often (incl. regular use of TTRS)
● Encourage challenge as ‘beating your personal best’.
Quick Questions Anywhere!
A few questions here and there are much better than hundreds in one go:
✓ on the way to school
✓ on a car journey
✓ in advert breaks
✓ whilst getting dressed
✓ a few before bed
Remember: if you can turn it into a game, then it will be much more motivating for your child!
Let us know if you know of any other great games or activities that we can add to the page! You will also find some guidance for supporting your child at home. If you would like more information on this, please feel free to contact your child's class teacher.
Here at Landywood our timestable are taught in line with the National Curriculum guidance.
Please see below our Multiplication Progression grid.
To help support your child ahead of the Year 4 times table check you can encourage them to use one minute maths – this app allows them to work solely on the tables they may find tricky as well as practice all timetables in ‘multiplication magic mix’.
You can also suggest completing a soundcheck on TTRS as this mirrors the test they will complete in Year 4. There will be 25 questions each with a six second timer.
Alternative ways to practice and learn your times tables:
BBC Bitesize offers a range of songs to recall times table facts
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/z97rdnb#zw6k7v4
Times Table War
What you need: A set of cards numbered 1–12 (can be duplicated)
How to play:
- Each player flips a card at the same time.
- Multiply the two numbers.
- The first player to say the correct answer wins both cards.
- The player with the most cards at the end wins!
Roll & Multiply Race
What you need: Two dice, paper, and pencil
How to play:
· Each player rolls two dice and multiplies the numbers.
· They write down the answer and keep a running total.
· First to reach a target number (e.g. 100) wins.
· You can limit the game to one specific times table for focused practice.
Top Marks offers free games that also support knowledge and fluency of times table facts.
