Arithmetic can be rather dull and rigid but can be made flexible and fascinating. When I was a young teacher, teaching multiplication tables was made memorable by the following jolly jingles:
“Nine sevens are 63, God bless Her Majesty; Eight eights are 64, when you go out shut the door; Nine sevens are 63, oh what fun, oh what glee.”
There is much to be said for the old-fashioned, repetitive chants. With no calculator, one can always rely on the human computer.
Owen Robinson Severnview Residential Home Chepstow
