How can I help prepare my child for Year 4?

Maths Multiplication Top Tips

In Year 4, it is important for building a good foundation in Primary Maths. Children start to multiply larger numbers using written methods and decimals are introduced. This year, there’s a focus on learning new methods but it’s crucial to keep practising word problems too. 

By the end of Year 4, your child should have a good grasp of the times tables (and their division facts) up to 12 x 12.   

Times table facts             Matching Division facts

3 x 5 = 15          15 ÷ 3 = 5

5 x 3 = 15 15 ÷ 5 = 3

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Top tips for Year 4 multiplication test: Regular times tables practice makes multiplication in KS2 a much easier ride. If you help your child memorise multiplication tables then you have given them a fantastic headstart!

Children who are confident with their mental maths and their times tables will find the formal written method (short division/column method) much easier. The formal written method of multiplication means writing down your calculations – it’s used when dealing with larger numbers (especially ones that take too long to do in your head). 

This written method can help children to break down potentially tricky multiplication questions into much smaller and more manageable chunks. Written methods help children to identify mistakes and correct them by reviewing their working out.  

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Short Multiplication (sometimes known as column method): 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iesL2yyy8CU

Long Multiplication (you can do this as an expanded method or a compact method): 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNSrfoYLQZU

Short Division (through partitioning): 

http://youtube.com/watch?v=xeA4T-S6z8E

Short Division (sometimes known as bus stop method): 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxyYaXI300k

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How you can help to teach your child times tables at home: 

https://www.topmarks.co.uk/Flash.aspx?f=bingotimesordivide

Can you win this game of division bingo?

What you need: Mini whiteboards/pieces of paper.

How to play:

• Step 1: On a mini whiteboard or piece of scrap paper, ask the child(ren) to write down six different ‘bingo’ numbers between 1 and ? (12 x 12) the times table you have chosen. 

• Step 2: Call out any division question that is linked to the that times table.

• Step 3: If children have the answer to the question on their whiteboard or paper, they cross it off.

• Step 4: Try to vary the language used, for example, you may say 20 divided by 2 is…’ or ‘6 in groups of three is…’

• Step 5: Once a child has crossed off all of their numbers, they should stand up and shout ‘BINGO’ before the adult checks to make sure that all of their numbers have been called.

• Step 6: The child has to then explain to you/the group why they have been able to cross at least three of their numbers.

Using real-life maths to master multiplication problems

Making up simple times tables word problems on the go will help your child find them much easier to answer. Offering them the chance to sit at a table and answer questions versus heading out to help you with the shopping is only going to present one winner!

When you go shopping, ask questions that will get them thinking and give you a chance to demonstrate the answer (using concrete manipulatives if needs be.)

• “If I buy 2 bags of 5 cookies, how many will there be altogether?”

• “How much will 3 bags that cost 5p each cost altogether?”

• “If 100g of cheese costs 50p, how much will 300g cost?”

It may not seem like much, but this is one of the best ways to help your child with times tables at home!

Fizz, Buzz Game 

This game is a great way to tackle times tables in a fun way!

How to play:

1. Choose the times table you would like to practise.

2. Take turns with your child to count from 1 (or you can get the whole family in on this one).

3. When you get to a multiple in your chosen times table, you must say “FIZZ!” instead of the number.

4. A way you can make it harder is to add an extra rule. If any number contains the same number you chose for the times table, you have to say BUZZ!

Have a look at this written example:

Fizz Buzz for the 3 times table

1, 2, FIZZ, 4, 5, FIZZ, 7, 8, FiZZ, 10, 11, FIZZ, BUZZ

Speed Tables Game

What’s the game about?

Recalling times tables as quickly as possible, which is a handy thing to be able to do when the tests come around!

How to play:

1. Take it in turns to call out the answers to your chosen times tables as fast as you can.

2. Make sure you time each other.

3. How fast can you get through them?

4. Turn it into a weekly Sunday afternoon family competition and keep track of the results with a leaderboard. Who will be the reigning times tables family champion?! 

Websites

Times Table Rockstars: https://ttrockstars.com All children have a login for this stuck into their homework book but if you have lost it please ask and we can give it to the children again. 

Multiplication Tables Check Practise: https://www.timestables.co.uk/multiplication-tables-check/

Hit the Button: https://www.topmarks.co.uk/maths-games/hit-the-button

Daily 10: https://www.topmarks.co.uk/maths-games/daily10 

These games are all great for recalling your times tables in a time limit which is part of how the children will be tested in their Year 4 Government Multiplication Tables Check. 

We hope to share some more games and websites with you but please do let us know of any good ones you find. We will try our hardest to keep you up to date with the times table that we are currently working on in school.

Thank you so much for everything you are doing at home to support your child in learning their times tables and division facts.