Times Tables by heart?

I didn't really understand what the tables meant until I did maths at Teacher training college

I have to say I am astonished by this . I simply can't think how you could reach the age of, what, 18? without actually understanding what "seven sixes are forty-two" meant

Surely have and understanding of where the figures come from doesn't preclude the learning by rote or vice versa! Instant recall has always stood me in good stead but I know why 11 x 11 is 121 if I need to!

I totally agree with that Gagagran I just had problems with 7x for a short while but I can calculate most things quicker than a till can even these days we had our lessons for the first lesson every morning followed by spelling tests, every Friday we had a class test and we where positioned every Monday morning within the class based on results it certainly made you try harder to get to the top of the class.

I fear that a return to rote learning will mean children will not understand, and although being able to recall the tables may help with calculations, in the long term it will lead to less children being able to move into higher levels of maths.

We used to chant them every morning in class and it was a thrill when we moved onto the bigger numbers (9x eg). I have found them to be embedded in my brain and use them still. I can't see why anyone should object to children having such a useful tool.

I can still say all the tables I learnt 70 years ago and many poems that I also learnt to say by heart in my schooldays. I know which I think have been more life-enhancing for me and wish that children had to learn poems nowadays.

Agree with indinana. Maths was never my favourite but the ability to recall via the times table was and is incredibly helpful. As long as the 'why' of it is also taught.

Yes I learnt them by rote as well - we all did in those days I think. But I did understand them too, I knew what they could be used for and throughout my school days they were put to use. In fact throughout my life I have always been grateful that I can instantly recall the calculations - younger colleagues have frequently been impressed that I (and others of my generation) have been able to come up with the answer while they're still trying to work it out. So yes, I think it's a great idea to reintroduce this method.

Well I find my learning of the multiplication tables has set in in very good stead. I'm not good at Maths but I go back time and time again to the basis of my understanding of numeracy. Thank heavens for Excel though.