What is it?
Next term, Year 3 will be taking part in our annual Times Tableathon, a sponsored times table speed test. The purpose of this event is both to raise money for our chairty, Thomas House, and to encourage the children to learn their times tables by heart. Quick recall of times tables, as opposed to using a method or strategy to work out the answer, helps free up space in children's working memory so that they can focus on applying their knowledge to other areas of the curriculum, for example, when learning about fractions, area and perimeter as well as other concepts that they will learn higher up in the school.
Which Times Tables?
The children will choose three times tables to learn, choosing one set from the following group:
- 2, 5 and 10 times tables
- 3, 4 and 8 times tables
- 6, 7 and 9 times tables
- a mix of all times tables including division facts
We encourage the children to choose times tables they do not already know as we want them to challenge themselves and to improve their times tables knowledge. the children will have around 4 minutes to answer as many questions as they can. They are not in competition with each other - we want them to compete with themselves, to practise and improve and show what a little hard work can achieve.
When will it happen?
The Times tableathon will take place on Friday the 22nd of April, giving the children time to both practise their times tables and collect sponsors.
How do children collect the money?
Children need to get sponsors to pledge either:
A maximum of 500 baht set amount for taking part
OR an amount for each question your child gets correct (e.g. 10 baht per correct answer. So 20 answers correct would be 200baht in total).
The chidlren do not need to collect the money until after they have done the Times table-athon on the 22nd of April.
Ways to Practise
Here are some ideas from the students and staff on how the children can practise and improve their times tables knowledge.
Create a set of flashcards to help instant memorisation.
Hit the button - great website with quick, timed tests for quick recall
Times table rockstars - a website/app that comes with a small cost but is well recommended by many teachers
Times tables.com - a website with plenty of activities for supporting the learning of times tables
Oxford Owl - Website with information, advice and activities for learning times tables
Youtube has plenty of times tables songs such as Mr Demaio and Jack Hartman
Or you can have them practise around the house. Ask them questions in their target times tables and see how quickly they answer. Have them count as they go up the stairs (e.g. 4, 8, 12, 16 etc.