BASIC FACTS |
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The following suggestions can be used at
home to assist your child in becoming more proficient at gaining
automatic recall of the basic number facts. The ideas are
not exclusive, many alternatives may be used.
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| 1. |
Learn tables by constant repetition (chanting,
singing or saying). Chant with your child. Display tables
chart in a prominent, easy-to-find area, regularly seen; for
example, in bedroom or behind the toilet door.
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| 2. |
'Flash Cards' - with all combinations of
basic facts; hold up, child responds with the answer. Flash
cards can easily be made from light card (cereal packet) or
by purchasing blank playing cards and writing basic facts
on these.
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| 3. |
'Snap' - played with flash cards. Play as
for ordinary Snap.A variation - write pairs of numbers on
cards, or blank playing cards, without operation signs. Child
may add, subtract, multiply or divide the pair of numbers
to find a matching pair.
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| 4. |
Throw two dice then either add, subtract
or multiply the two numbers shown.
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| 5. |
Race the calculator: Call out a basic fact.
While you work out the answer using the calculator, your child
attempts to race you to the correct answer, working mentally.
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| 6. |
Make a spinner from an ice-cream container
lid by cutting out a circular shape and writing on the digits
0 to 9. Make a pointer from the leftover plastic. Push a drawing
pin or split pin through one end of the pointer and the centre
of the circular shape.
(a) Spin the spinner and multiply or add the number on the
spinner to a selected number; for example, 5: 5 X 3 or 5 +
3.
(b) As above, add each correct answer or subtract each incorrect
answer to your total, aiming to reach 500.
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| 7. |
'Sums, Differences, Products' (add, take
away, multiply) - The game is played using a hundred chart.
Call a pair of numbers from the basic facts. Your child covers
the sum, the difference and the product of the two numbers
called on the hundreds chart. Play for a given time; for example,
five minutes, or until all of the set of basic facts have
been used.
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| 8. |
'Bingo' - The game is played as for ordinary
Bingo. You call a basic fact ; use basic number fact sheet,
your child covers the correct answer if it is on the card.
First to cover the card or a line wins the game.
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| 9. |
When using board games, encourage your child
to add to the total when throwing the die, or add the total
of the dice, rather than counting on.
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| 10. |
'Numero' is one of the best mathematical
games available which can be used at home to develop mathematics
skills.
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When does your child need to
know their tables?
Year 3 - 2X 10X 5X 3X
Year 4 - 3X 6X 9X
Year 5 - 8X 7X
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