Times Tables15 October 2025 (by Ashlea Stevenson (ashlea)) |
Dear Parents,
As educators, we believe in fostering an environment where every child can thrive academically and develop essential skills for a successful future. Times tables play a crucial role in your child's overall education. It is often considered the foundation of mathematical proficiency as it plays a fundamental role in shaping your child's mathematical understanding and problem-solving abilities. Here are several reasons why mastering the times tables is so important:
Building Mathematical Fluency: Learning times tables helps your child develop fluency in basic arithmetic operations. This fluency serves as a solid foundation for more advanced mathematical concepts they will encounter in the future.
Enhancing Problem-Solving Skills: Proficiency in times tables empowers children to solve mathematical problems more efficiently. It allows them to focus on understanding and solving problems.
Preparation for Advanced Math: As your child progresses through their academic journey, they will encounter more complex mathematical concepts that rely heavily on a solid understanding of times tables. A strong foundation in multiplication facilitates smoother transition to more advanced topics.
Everyday Life Applications: Multiplication is not just a school subject; it is a skill that is used in various real-life situations. From calculating shopping expenses to determining travel time, the ability to quickly and accurately multiply numbers is invaluable in everyday life.
Confidence Boost: Mastering times tables instils confidence in your child's mathematical abilities. This confidence extends beyond the classroom and positively impacts their overall attitude towards learning.
Preparation for Standardised Tests: Many standardised tests, such as the Multiplication Check in Year 4 and the SATs in Year 6 include questions that require a strong understanding of times tables. Proficiency in multiplication can significantly contribute to your child's success in these assessments.
There are various resources, including games, apps, and interactive activities, that make learning multiplication engaging and fun. Here are some online resources:
At R J Mitchell, times tables are taught all the way throughout the school in a variety of ways. Year 3 and 4 are following a programme which develops recall of 36 core multiplication facts. Fluency in these facts provides the foundation for all written and mental multiplication and division. New facts are introduced and taught visually through the conceptual lessons, and aurally through the chanting of verbal sound patterns. Facts are learned to fluency through daily practice sessions with scores tracked daily and targeted support provided where needed
The Multiplication Times Tables Check is an online test where the pupils are asked 25 questions on times tables 2 to 12.
The purpose of the MTC is to determine whether pupils can recall their times tables fluently, which is essential for future success in mathematics. It will help us to identify pupils who have not yet mastered their times tables, so that additional support can be provided.
Leading up to the children taking the test, they will have weekly practice to gain speed and accuracy and they will have weekly tests to determine gaps and put support in place to address them before the MTC is administered during a 2-week period from Monday 1st June 2026.
To go through the way we teach times tables here at R J Mitchell and to explain in more detail the MTC, we would like to invite you to a parent meeting on Wednesday 4th November 2025 at 9am and another at 5pm in the school hall.
We appreciate your ongoing support in your child's education. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your child's progress in mathematics or any other subject, please feel free to reach out to us. Together, we can ensure that your child is well-prepared for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
Thank you for your partnership in fostering a love for learning in our students.
Yours Sincerely,
Miss K Marsh
Maths Lead