what is the best way to teach times tables to 8 year old?

Answer 1

There are lots of different ways to help children learn their tables. I used to work as a teaching assistant before progressing to maths teacher, and I spent a lot of time working with children who strugled with this.

One method I used -this worked well with boys- test them randomly on 30 different multiplications, then when they have marked the test, put them into a 'football league'. 27 or more they go in the premiership, 25 - 26 championship, 20 - 24 league one, 15 - 19 league two. After the test, they can see the ones they do know so you can help them practise the ones they don't know.

Another way is if you write down the table you want them to learn but omit the answers. ask the child to fill in ONLY the answers they know straight away. (They obviously know these so encourage them to use these facts to help them with the ones they don't know.) Then block the table into groups of 4 facts.....e.g.
5 x 6 = 30
6 x 6 = 36
7 x 6 = 42
8 x 6 = 48
Ask one of these facts, but point to the answer as you ask it so the child has the help, keep asking the facts in random order. When they can answer confidently, start covering the answer up but still point to where the answer would have been. When they know the 4 facts, build it up with the first 4 (1x6, 2x6, 3x6, 4x6) then do the same with the last 4 until they know the whole table.

I have added a good link which puts learning tables into games. It can be played for free, but if you want to get rid of the 'evaluation' across the screen it will cost you £10. Well worth the investment and thats how my son learnt his. The 'time table' game is really good once they get confident as they start to try and better their time. Plus you can print off certificates from the activities to say how well they have done.

Hope these help, but if you need anymore please email me as I have some colour coordinated child friendly sheets of how the tables are linked.

Answer 2

How do you get to Carnegie hall? You Practise! Of Course.

How do you learn multiplication tables? You practise.

Multiplication factors have to be memorized. It's more difficult for an 8 - 10 year old these days because of calculators and computers. In the days before calculators, we had to memorize the multiplication facts. We learned by using the factors repeatedly.

Now back to your question! Try starting with 2 times 1 to 9 and help him/her memorize it. Try to make it into a game. 5 times is easy. Let him /her see that once he has learned up to 5 times then he has learned half of 6, 7, 8, and 9 times.
Ex. 5 x 9 = 45 therefore 9 x 5 = 45 so it's easier than he may think it is.
Good Luck. Have Fun! With practise your child will conquer it.

Answer 3

When I was at school 40/50's we learnt our table,up to times 12, by rote. That is constantly repeating them aloud,sometimes with a sing songy tune to them,and this would be done in arithmetic(they didn't call it maths then)lessons on a daily basis . It didn't take all that long to memorise them. From my experience the kids then were far more able to multiply numbers especially mentally than my own children or grandchildren seem able to do when taught by more modern methods. This may be a case where oldest is best.

Answer 4

The best way to get it in your child's head is to use a range of learning styles. For example, have a visual reference in colour coded tables on the wall to refer to, as your child dances to steps that they have made up to the song you and your child have made up for each of the tables.
Lots of motivation to learn tables if you promise your child that once they can sing the song without looking at the visual aid, you will record it so they can share it with their friends.
Not forgetting of course, the need to show your child the importance of knowing x tables in real life situations, for example, in how multiplication relates to division as an opposite, with sweets, or pepperoni on a pizza!
I'm a primary headteacher, and these have all worked for various students of mine in the past! Good luck!

Answer 5

My maths teacher at school was a Vietnam veteran and I remember he used to randomly pick one pupil, make them stand up, pick a number from 6-12 and test each multiple in random order. That worked because he was SCARY and I always made sure I knew the whole table off by heart to avoid getting a major shouting at by him.

Answer 6

Repitition is usually the most successful way. If you start off teaching the easy ones ie 2,5,10 then 3,4,11 then when they have some confidence carry on with the others. At school we had them typed out on postcards and they were easier to learn.

Answer 7

8 is a bit late. Hang big copies of the multiplication tables around the bedroom walls to show that they are important!! Should have been done at 4.

Answer 8

Hi,

The best way to teach anything to little Children is to teach it through a song! It worked with my little girl

Answer 9

I think I had a tape with the tables in song form - that makes it easier to remember because you can link it to a tune in your head - just like song lyrics.

Good luck!

Answer 10

I know a trick for learning 9s. It helped me in school and is helping my children and younger brother.
Hold up all ten fingers
Starting left to right
1x9= hold down the first finger on left hand= nine fingers remaining
2x9= hold down the second finger on left hand= one finger before the space and eight after so it =18
3x9= hold down the third finger on left hand=two before the space and seven after so it = 27
So on .....
I hope you understood what I was trying to say and hope it helps!!