Mathematics teaches us how to make sense of the world around us through developing a child’s ability to calculate, to reason and to solve problems. It enables children to understand and appreciate relationships and pattern in both number and space in their everyday lives. Through their growing knowledge and understanding, children learn to appreciate the contribution made by many cultures to the development and application of mathematics.
At Stockham Primary School our mathematical aims are built upon the principles of the National Curriculum. Our aims are:
- to promote enjoyment and enthusiasm for learning through practical activity, exploration and discussion.
- to promote confidence and competence with numbers and the number system.
- to develop the ability to solve problems through decision-making and reasoning in a range of contexts.
- to develop a practical understanding of the ways in which information is gathered and presented.
- to explore features of shape and space, and develop measuring skills in a range of contexts.
- to understand the importance of mathematics in everyday life.
- to foster and develop mathematical resilience, perseverance and logical thinking.
Through fulfilling these aims all of our pupils:
- Become fluent in the fundamentals of mathematics.
- Develop conceptual understanding and the ability to recall and apply knowledge rapidly and accurately.
- Are able to reason mathematically.
- Are able to follow a line of enquiry, make conjectures, generalisations and develop mathematical arguments.
- Are able to provide mathematical proof and justifications using the correct mathematical language and terminology.
- Can solve problems by applying their mathematical understanding to a variety of sophisticated problems.
- Can demonstrate resilience and the ability to solve problems and puzzles logically by breaking it down into a series of simpler steps by persevering in seeking solutions.
- Learning times tables is a fundamental skill for mastering maths.
- Memorising times tables strengthens our ability to perform mental maths.
5 reasons times tables are important
Learning times tables is really important. After all, they’re the building blocks of maths, and with your multiplications mastered, you can do anything! Here are just some of the ways in which memorising multiplication facts can benefit your child.
1. Learning one times table makes others easier to learn
By starting with smaller times tables and gradually building up, children will learn number rules that’ll make learning other times tables much easier. For example, once you know your 2 times table, you can learn your 4 times table simply by doubling the answers!
2. Times tables improve mental maths skills
Memorising times tables makes it far quicker for children to work out mental maths problems in their heads. Moving beyond using their fingers to work out answers, they’ll be able to use their knowledge to quickly solve any multiplication questions.
By memorising their times tables, children will also become more accustomed to using their head to visualise answers for questions. This will help them to solve questions involving multiplication, addition, subtraction and division in their head, making the act of memorising multiplication tables a very worthwhile cause!
3. They help children understand other concepts
Beyond memorisation, learning times tables and understanding how they work can do wonders for building children’s knowledge of important mathematical concepts. These include fractions, percentages and even shapes.
For example, using visual representations of times tables (such as counters) can help children to visualise the role of sequences, addition and fractions.
As they become more confident with their times tables, they’ll use this knowledge to spot other number relationships. For example, they’ll realise to work out any answers for the 4 times table, they simply need to halve the equivalent answer for the 8 times table!
4. We use times tables in everyday life
Knowing times tables isn’t just useful for weekly multiplication tests – they also come in handy outside of the classroom! How much would it cost to buy three comics which cost £2 each? Simply calculate 3 x 2! Or how many chocolates are there in total if my four friends have five each? Work out 4 x 5! The possibilities are endless.
5. Knowing your times tables increases confidence
Perhaps most importantly, memorising their tables will give your child confidence in their own maths skills.
This confidence will help them in SATs and other assessments, and ultimately, ease their move into secondary education.
Areas of maths in each year group