Tables Ideas for 1st and 2nd Classes

Below you can find some helpful tips for helping your child to learn tables and notice number patterns and relationships.

NB: Notice the relationship between addition and subtraction tables. Try turning addition table into subtraction and vice-versa.

Look for ‘interesting’ tables eg

• 10 fact (total of 10) example: 3+7=10,
• Near 10 facts (totals of 9 or 11) example: 3+6=9 or 8+3 = 11
• Addition Doubles example: 4+4=8
• Subtraction Doubles example: 8-4=4

Workbook (can be purchased at your local bookstore)
Table Toppers 2 by CJ Fallon (activities for each addition/subtraction table) is a good workbook if you feel your child needs extra practise. However, be careful not to overload your child with extra work. There are also a number of other commercial books available

Games (see template below)
Make cards for every table in a set and its answer. Cut them up and play games e.g. Snap (match table to answer), Go Fish (memory game- turn over 2 cards of they are table and answer, keep, if not turn over again)

Cards/dominoes/dice (add/subtract the total of 2)

CDs:
A number of tables CDs are available (however most are geared towards times tables)

Online games:

www.tutpup.com (play against other opponents around the world!)

www.primarygames.co.uk

www.multiplication.com (lots of other games to choose from)

DIY: Tables Card Game

Write your tables (without answer) on this page. Shade the back of the cards to show they are questions. Cut out.

Now write the answers on this page. Shade the back of the cards a different colour. Cut out.

Games to try:

• Matching: With questions and answers facing up, match the correct answer to its table. Time yourself and try to beat your time each night.

• Go fish: With shaded side up, turn over one table and one answer. If they match, keep them up. If not, turn over and repeat until you have matched all the tables.

• Snap: 2 player. Say snap and hit the top card, if the card before matches the table or answer on top.