Helping your child with their maths
Be positive! Don’t say negative things about maths such as “I could never do maths”.
Praise effort – if they work hard at it say well done even if they have made mistakes.
Mistakes are opportunities to learn! Don’t criticise mistakes if they have worked hard. Ask your child to look again and try and learn from the mistake. l If you can, think of similar questions to practise.
Maths teaching today may be different to when you were at school. We teach different methods as the child gets older. You may not have learnt the same methods but it is important you are consistent with school. For example, in order for children to fully understand, it is important they do not move on to formal, short, written methods of calculation to early. Speak to your child’s class teacher if you have any questions or go to the maths at home website below.
Year 4 Multiplication Tables Check (MTC)
As you know, the Government has set a formal test of multiplication skills that will take place this term for Year 4. For the Multiplication Tables Check (MTC), children in Year 4 are expected to know all their times tables up to 12×12.
Children will be tested using an on-screen check (on a computer), where they will have to answer multiplication questions against the clock. Children will have 6 seconds to answer each question in a series of 25.
Please help your child with their multiplication tables.
Here are a few suggestions how to do this:-
* Using the websites below.
* Reciting the multiples, e.g. 2, 4, 6, 8…. 9, 18, 27, 36 ….
* Writing down the multiplications on paper – someone asking them random questions, e.g. What is 5 x 9? … 10 x 12 equals?
Below are some websites where your child can do online practice.
https://www.j2e.com/j2blast – use VPS login details
https://www.purplemash.com/sch/victory – use VPS login details
https://www.topmarks.co.uk/maths-games/7-11-years/times-tables – free website
https://www.timestables.co.uk/ – free website
https://ttrockstars.com/page/purchase – a small fee for the year (under £8)
https://www.topmarks.co.uk/maths-games/hit-the-button – free website
Thank you
Resources
Maths at Home Website
This website has short video clips that explain the main concepts taught in each year group.
You will need to use your child’s school login details to access this webpage. If your child is not sure of their login details, please ask the class teacher.
http://mathsathome.lgfl.org.uk/main.html
Helping your child at home: Maths – Using and Applying
The powerpoint from the recent parent workshop. Easy ideas for using and applying maths knowledge and skills at home and out and about.
This guide was shared at the recent workshop.
Lots of ideas, games and activities for Reception to Year 6. Calculation Policy
