Maths Homework Tips
Maths questions can be solved in many ways and although a certain way is used in the classroom it may be useful to your child’s learning to realise that there is another way of getting to the answer.
Any way you can think to help from cutting up a pizza to making little piles of raisins to explain tables really work and help make memorable learning.
Encouraging maths in everyday situations
Links to Education Scotland Parentzone Website: Measurement Money
Calendar Games - Using a calendar to count down days. Calculating how many weeks and months that there is until a special time
Supermarket Games - Picking the number of fruit and vegetables. Weighing- Picking the cheapest
Board Games - Monopoly, Battleships, Dominoes, Uno, Rummikub, Magic cauldron Game
Card Games - Snap, Patience, Newmarket, Spit - all promote sequencing. Pontoon - Adding
Playing darts - Adding, Subtraction, Counting
Playing snooker - Adding up the scores
Baking and cooking - Measuring and weights practice
Using a timetable - Work out a journey
Using maps - Working out distance
Playing bingo - number recognition
Singing songs - 10 green bottles, 1,2,3,4,5 once I caught a fish alive.
Reading Books - with a maths theme
Fridge magnets - Make some sums with number magnets
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Multiplication Tips
Every multiplication has a pair, which may be easier to remember. For example if you forget 8×5, you might remember 5×8.
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Zero and One Times Tables: Could This Get Any Easier?
Check this out: if you multiply ANYTHING by zero, the answer is zero. Anything. 4 x 0 = 0 and 1,000,000 x 0 = 0. One times tables are almost as easy. Any number multiplied by one is always itself. "Huh," you say? Well, check it out: 1 x 10 = 10, 1 x 42 = 42, 8,726 x 1 = 8,726.
Two Times Tables: Double Your Pleasure
When you multiply a number by two, you just double that number. So, if you want to figure out what 2 x 7 is, you just add 7 + 7 (the answer is 14, by the way). Any number times two is the same as that number PLUS itself. Here's one more example: 2 x 5 is the same as 5 + 5, which equals 10.
Four Times Tables: Double, Double Trouble
OK, so now that you have the twos figured out, it's time to get doubling again. This is not as confusing as it may sound. When you multiply four with anything, you have to use the doubling-up trick (that's the one you used for the two times table) twice. Here's an example: 4 x 7 is the same as 7 + 7 = 14 and then 14 + 14 = 28. So 4 x 7 = 28. Here's another double, double example: 4 x 10 is the same as 10 + 10 = 20, so then 20 + 20 = 40. So the answer is 4 x 10 = 40.
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Five Times Tables: It's Why You Have Fingers
First things first - can you count to five? Yeah? Then you can figure out your five times tables. So, when you want to multiply a number by five you just count up by fives that may times. Let's review how to count by fives: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25... and so on. Got it? So if you want to multiply 5 x 7, you just count by fives, seven times. 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35. So 7 x 5 = 35. If you have trouble keeping track, just use your fingers.
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Nine Times Tables - One Seriously Handy Tip
Here is a fun way to remember your nine times tables. For this method you are going to need to have two hands. Put your hands in front of you with your palms towards you. Your fingers represent the numbers one to ten (one is your left thumb; ten is your right thumb). Now you're ready to do your nine times tables. Let's say the question is9 x 4. Count to the fourth finger (if you've counted right, it will be the ring finger on your left hand) and curl that finger under. Now you have three fingers up before that finger and 6 up after it. So the answer is 36. Let's try 9 x 8. Put down the 8th finger (middle finger on the right hand) so that you have seven fingers up before the finger you curled under, and two fingers afterward. So the answer is 72.
Ten Times Tables: Just Add Zero and Stir
If you want to multiply something by 10, just add a zero on the end. Here's an example: 10 x 8 = 80 or 10 x 100 = 1,000. Try it with any number - from one to a billion.
Click the links below to download our Strategy help sheets:
Multiplication and Division Strategies
https://blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/re/heriot/parental-support-videos-numeracy/
Read more: Multiplication Times Tables Tips and Tricks
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https://education.gov.scot/parentzone/learning-at-home/supporting-numeracy#
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Please also see the attached link for further information from Education Scotland.
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http://edscot.org.uk/LQE-28Y8I-8B3CY0J046/cr.aspx
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