Year 4 Mathematics Unit: Patterns and Multiplication Weeks 6-8
TIPS FOR PARENTS: Times tables are a brilliant brain-training exercise for students. Good times-tables knowledge is vital for quick mental maths calculations and problem solving, e.g. if a child knows that 6 x 3 = 18 they will be able to work out that 6 x 30 = 180 or 60 x 3 = 180 almost instantly.
Useful items to help your help your child with times tables at home include:
A stack of coins – at least a dozen of each type of coin, and preferably two dozen $2.00, will let you make up a full set of tables to 12x12 for the occasions when your child might need to go back and check by counting. No cost, beyond the time it takes to collect up the change.
A pack of cards – take out the aces and Kings, count Jack as 11 and Queen as 12, and you can practice the full range of tables by dealing your child two cards and asking them to multiply them.
A pack of blank cards (make them out of cardboard or paper, or buy premade versions) These are infinitely versatile. You can write down whatever items your child has problems with and make Pelmanism sets with questions and answers. (Write the questions and answers on different cards. Shuffle and turn the cards face down. The child has to turn over a card, then turn over the matching card. You can start with a small number of sets and build up.) How many card questions can your child answer correctly against the clock? Boys very much enjoy this, but so do most girls.
Numicon – a system comprising a baseboard and coloured tiles of between one and ten units. Many uses in early maths, including building up tables through a series of tiles. Not cheap, but it makes illustrating an idea very easy, and the consistency of the tiles builds up a sense of number, so that children think, say, in threes rather than just counting.
Congratulations to the Percussion Group & Ms McNeall on their 1st Place at the Eisteddfod on Wednesday. These wonderful children give up their lunchtime once a week to work with Ms McNeall.
