Five Steps - how to learn any times table in five easy steps
1
2
Step count
Clap
in pairs
3
4
Rehearse
x facts
Play
Slap Bingo
5
Rehearse
÷ facts
The videos and instructions on the page below show you how to learn the 7x table. But you can use this approach to learn any times table!
For children who have been struggling with times tables, start with the 7x times table. Everyone thinks that you have to be pretty smart to know your sevens so when children succeed - and we are sure they will - their confidence will soar!
While you are working through the Five Steps you will only need the 12 multiples of your target times table. Leave the rest of the cards in the box, and keep your 12 target cards together in the FunKey Cardholder. That way you don’t waste valuable learning time looking for the right cards.
Step 1: Step-count together
1 Lay out the 12 multiples of 7 as in the picture below. Make sure 5x7 (35) and 10x7 (70) stick out below the other cards as reference points.
2 Count out loud, pointing to the cards as you and the learner say the products. Pause at 35 and 70. This gives the learner time to absorb what they are seeing and hearing.
3 Turn one card over and count again. Make sure the learner says all the numbers, even the ones they can’t see.
4 Turn another card over. Count again, pointing as you count. Then turn another card over and go again.
5 Keep going until the learner can count even when all cards are face down! (This may take more than one session but that’s fine!)
6 When the learner can confidently count without seeing the products, move on to Step 2, or if the learner fancies a challenge, try counting backwards too!
Step 2: Clap in pairs
1 Face each other. Count in 7s up to 84. As you count, clap with your partner.
2 Do single hand claps, left hand to left hand, then right hand to right hand, except for 5x (35) and 10x (70). For these, do a double hand clap.
3 When the learner has cracked clapping while counting forwards, try clapping while counting backwards!
Step 3: Rehearse multiplication facts
1 Lay out the 12 multiples of 7 as in Step 1. Make sure the cards for 5x and 10x stick out below the other cards.
2 Let the learner choose three cards they are ready to turn over. Rehearse the facts for these cards several times, remembering the Golden Rules!
3 Let the learner choose another card. Rehearse the new fact several times then turn the card over. Then point in turn to each of the four cards already turned over and ask the multiplication fact, remembering the Golden Rules!
4 Turn over another card, and repeat. Keep going until all cards are face down. This may take more than one session, but that’s fine!
5 Vary the order in which facts are rehearsed and always point to the card as you ask the fact: it really helps the learner to see the fact in the context of the number line.
6 The 1x, 2x and 10x facts need less practice than other facts, so persuade the learner to turn these cards over last. You want to spend most of your time rehearsing the tricky-to-learn facts!
Step 4: Play Slap Bingo!
1 Place the twelve cards from the target times table face up between you and the learner(s).
2 Ask a multiplication question, remembering the Golden Rules. For example: Q: Three sevens?
3 The first person to slap the correct card wins that card, but only if they say the full fact. A: Three sevens are 21.
4 If you are playing with the learner give them a 3 second head start to even it up!
Step 5: Rehearse division facts
1 Hold the 12 multiples of your target times table so the learner can’t see them.
2 The format of the questions you ask the learner will be always in the form: “How many …..s in …..?” For example, if you are practising the 7x table and the first card was Card 63, the question would be: How many 7s in 63?
3 The learner replies using the known multiplication fact: “Nine sevens are 63”.
4 If the learner responds quickly and accurately, the card can be discarded. Otherwise, it is kept in the pack to be practised again.
5 When all the cards have been answered quickly and accurately, reverse roles! It is great for the learner to be the one formulating the questions.
6 The more you can keep the question and answer to the same rhythm and tone adopted when learning the multiplication facts, the better the learning will be.
Activity tracker
To keep learning on track, we’ve created this motivating Activity Tracker with guidance on how to use it. Can be used with children learning at home or school.
