Ages 8 to 11

Here’s one to improve those times tables.

Completing a weekly grid test can help key stage 2 children learn. Get them to draw a 6x6 square in their maths books and give them six numbers to write outside the grid across the top, and six to write down the left- hand side.

The children must multiply the numbers to complete the grid. They work against the clock calling out when they’ve finished so you can give them their time, which they record.

Stop the test after two minutes and mark the answers together. Incorrect or missing answers should be circled. In the following week, get them to compete against their personal best time and number of correct answers.

Reward those who improve. Over a term, they should be able to see good progress in their scores. Differentiate by changing the size of the grid or the numbers used.

Useful sites for practising quick recall of tables are:

www.bbc.co.ukskillswise

numbers wholenumbersmultiplicationtimestablesgame.shtml

www.oswego.orgocsd - webgames Mathmagicianmathsmulti. html

www.sgfl.org.ukgames gamesmaths multiplicationstation

Elizabeth Smith is a primary teacher who is on a short career break