In Kingfisher class we are going to start a number knowledge challenge to support children with their number bonds and times tables. Following the National Curriculum expectations, children at the end of Year 2 should know all of their number bonds to 10, 20 and 100 (including multiples of 10 and all other number pairs, such as 27 and 73, for example). In addition, children at the end of Year 2 should be able to confidently recall facts for their 2, 5 and 10 times tables. In addition, Year 3 children should be able to confidently recall times table and division facts for the 3, 4 and 8 times tables.
Children will progress through the levels by ‘passing’ individual tests, before tackling the final challenge for each level with a mixture of all the previous number bonds or times tables learnt. For example, to complete ‘Bronze’ level, children must be able to answer 40 questions in 4 minutes from the 2x,5x and 10x table.
The goal of this new challenge is to help them have quick recall of number facts. It will also provide children with clear guidance as to which table they need to learn next to progress. Children will be able to track their own progress through the challenge and will be awarded with stickers and certificates. All children will start on red level to ensure that there are no gaps in the children’s learning.
To support children in learning their number facts and times tables, practice sheets have been provided below. The sheets are provided to practise the skills the children will be tested on not the actual questions. This avoids children learning the test and ensures children are retaining the number facts and applying them independently. Children will be provided with opportunities to learn and rehearse times tables and number facts throughout the school week, but they should also be regularly practicing their times tables at home alongside their reading and spelling. These sheets are not the only practice option, please also use number flash cards and number games. Online resources such as 'hit the button' are also really useful.
Please speak to Miss Dennison if you have any queries about how to support your child at home.
KIRFs are designed to support the development of mental fluency skills that underpin much of the mathematics curriculum. They are particularly useful when calculating, be it adding, subtracting, multiplying or dividing.
Instant recall of facts helps enormously with mental agility in mathematics; when children move onto written methods and abstract methods, knowing these key skills is vital. For children to become more efficient in recalling them easily, they need to be practised frequently and in short bursts.