Y4 - MTC Parent workshop

As we’re sure you’re aware, in June, our Year 4 children sit a statutory multiplication test.
 
Here is what you need to know:

1. We love maths. It is an awesome subject to learn and to teach.
   
2. Maths is a big subject and we appreciate there is more to it than times tables and there is more to times tables than learning them off by heart. However, a lot of the rich, interesting maths is all about the multiplicative relationships and these are hard to fully grasp without fluent recall of the tables. For that reason, learning the tables is fundamental – they are a key facilitator to the maths that sits on top. We have always believed that.
   
3. The checks became compulsory as of 2020.
   
4. The checks are completed in June within a two-week-long window.
   
5. The results of the test are not published publicly - they are not going to end up on a league table.
   
6. The checks consist of 25 questions. The questions will only be multiplication and they will go up to 12×12.
   
7. The pass mark for the check is 25/25. 
8. The time limit for each question is 6 seconds.
   
9. The checks are all about remembering the multiplication facts. That does not mean we will forget all about the concepts, patterns, structures and relationships in multiplication. We are learning those too, partly because they go hand in hand with excellent recall.
   
10. Tests in themselves do not cause anxiety. It is the perceived cost of not doing well. For that reason, we will actively downplay the checks with the pupils. The only thing that will stress the children is if we repeatedly refer to the checks in class or at home, even casually in front of them when they are not supposed to be listening.
    
11. In Year 4, the children will have the opportunity to practice on a weekly basis using the computers or tablets.
    
12. As far as the children are concerned, when it comes to the day itself, they are going to have the computers or tablets out so it will just seem like any other practice day.
    
13. You may notice us taking even more initiative when it comes to learning the tables with more options for home learning. If you are practising with your child, remember you are practising for the benefit of their wider maths education, not for them to get a high score on the tests. So please enjoy the opportunity to work with your child and remember to hold back on comments about the checks.
    
14. Please be supportive of our approach in parent-parent communication channels. It is important that we get behind the checks for the benefit of all our children.
    ​
    

In order to better support you with your own knowledge and understanding of the checks, and ways in which you can support your child at home, we are hosting a parental workshop for our Year 4 parents and your child/children.
 
We aim to provide you with an opportunity to work alongside your child/children to participate in times table activities that you and your child can then do at home. This will enable your child/children to become an excellent times table wizard, which will hold them in good stead for their future Maths learning at Park Street and beyond.
 
This workshop will be held on Tuesday 20th February 2024 and will run 2:00pm-3:00pm.