Times table to be learnt at Primary School

But this is what our society is becoming. Ticking boxes. Learning what rather than why. Doing as we’re told rather than understand the reason.

We seemed to be a country of ‘managers’ who are not actually trusted to manage. Instead, they must follow procedures rigidly and “evidence” everything they do. 

You are absolutely correct in that, rogher, and it was probably the single greatest area of frustration throughout the latter part of my career!

Teaching children within the present teaching confines is counter productive. In order for them to excel, they must be given the opportunity to explore every possible solution to a challenging situation..  

They need to be taught that thinking out of the box is a good thing..

Why should they be taught base 10 only ( Decimal ) they should be taught base 2 base 8 base 16 and even base 12. 

bases 2, 8 and 16 are necessary to understand the concept of computing.

It is by giving the child the ability to look outside the box that enables them to be the leaders of industry the future.

Teaching methods need updating !!!

K 

"Teaching children within the present teaching confines is counter productive. In order for them to excel, they must be given the opportunity to explore every possible solution to a challenging situation..  "

Well said K, you're coming round to a teacher's way of thinking about education, rather than a poitician's after all ! It's taken time but - progress indeed!

K, computing is finding an answer by using maths or logic, nothing new, the basics have been taught in schools for years.

My nine year old grandaughter was proud to tell me at Christmas that she knew her 12 x table and was happy for me to test her, she was very proud that she got them right. However when i asked her about others such as the 5 x table she didn't know any of them, I would have though if they are going to learn tables then they need to learn them all. Why should 12 x be more important than any other.

The announcement and this thread have concentrated on the 12x table, but I would say that all of the tables up to 12 should be taught with equal emphasis. Yes Yes, - I know that there are calculators available today but I dont want to be consulting them every time I go shopping. But I often do find it advantagious to be able to work out what a particular number of items at ..... willl cost me.  My knowledge of all the times tables is still today one of the most well used lessons I learnt at school.

I fully accept that modern life also requires knowledge of many other subjects too, but those tables were far too useful just to dump because we now have calculators!

TF

As long as a youngster can work a keypad, they can always g**gle the answer.

Learning whole tables 'parrot fashion' to 12x is pointless if all you are doing is making sounds without understanding number patterns. That's 144 lines of 'poetry' memorised if you ever succeed in this.  Also, what's the point of learning 8x6 if you already know 6x8? Understanding the role and relationship between multiplier, multiplicand and product is far more useful, less of a chore and easier. You then have the division tables as a bonus!

"Teaching children within the present teaching confines is counter productive. In order for them to excel, they must be given the opportunity to explore every possible solution to a challenging situation..  "

Well said K, you're coming round to a teacher's way of thinking about education, rather than a poitician's after all ! It's taken time but - progress indeed!

Write your comments here...Tut Tut M  - You are incorrect in saying I have changed my mind on quality education for our up and coming generation.

 My views have always remained constant,

Hence my disappointment when I read of schools and school staff failing to educate children to the very best of the young person's abilities. 

Our children deserve the best education that devoted teachers can provide, particularly in mathematics ---------- they get it in some schools,  but not all. 

K 

"Teaching children within the present teaching confines is counter productive. In order for them to excel, they must be given the opportunity to explore every possible solution to a challenging situation..  "

Well said K, you're coming round to a teacher's way of thinking about education, rather than a poitician's after all ! It's taken time but - progress indeed!

Write your comments here...Tut Tut M  - You are incorrect in saying I have changed my mind on quality education for our up and coming generation.

 My views have always remained constant,

Hence my disappointment when I read of schools and school staff failing to educate children to the very best of the young person's abilities. 

Our children deserve the best education that devoted teachers can provide, particularly in mathematics ---------- they get it in some schools,  but not all. 

K 

But that isn't what I said, is it K? Like all right minded folk, you want the best for youngsters, wherever they live and whatever their circumstances - no disagreement there.

I am genuinely pleased though to see that you appear now to be thinking from a teacher's viewpoint, rather than a politician's or administrator's. Well done!