What are number bonds?
Number bonds are pairs of numbers which make up a total. The number bonds for seven, for example, are 3 + 4, 2 + 5, 1 + 6 and 0 + 7. Children will practise remembering these at school to help with rapid recall and in further learning in mathematics.
Times Tables:
Confidence with times tables is really important for children in primary school. By ensuring that your child is confident with times table you will be giving them some essential tools for success in mathematics.
At Birtley House, children have opportunities to practise their Number Bonds and Times Tables during numeracy lessons. Once a week, children will have a ‘quiz’ to demonstrate their skills. Children will be placed on a level appropriate for their ability. Once they have scored 100% 3 weeks in a row, they will move onto the next level.
Please see below the levels and which colour/levels match up to which number bonds/times tables:
How you can help your child at home:
Number Bonds:
- Give your child ten counters (Lego bricks, past shapes, buttons, sweets) and ask them questions such as: What do you add to 3 to make 10? What do you add to 2 to make 10? Encourage them to use the counters to work it out
- Print out number cards and ask your child to match them up into number pairs or number bonds (this can be done as a game of Snap)
- Write a list of ten numbers then time your child to see how long it takes them to write down the other number that makes up each pair (2 and 18; 5 and 15; 4 and 16)
Knowledge of number bonds is essential when it comes to harder calculations involving addition and subtraction (for example, children learn to use the bridging through 10 method to help them add numbers mentally), so it is vital children get a firm grounding in this to support further calculations.
Times Tables
Little and often is best and make times tables learning fun. Some ideas include: climb stairs counting in multiples, play verbal times tables games; listen to and learn times tables songs; take it in turns to say different times tables in funny voices, i.e a lions voice; play on-line maths games and use times tables grids.
More support and resources can be found here: https://thirdspacelearning.com/blog/how-to-help-your-child-learn-times-tables-at-home/
