Day 107, times tables

Apparently the big initiative in education from the Tories is that all primary school pupils should know the 12 times table.  Well, this is the bit the media discussions I’ve heard have focussed on rather than them entertain the idea of a discussion about grammar, which is also in the Tory plan.

What the point of learning the times tables is is not discussed - Is it learning by rote?  Is it connected learning by using patterns? Why up to the 12 times table and not to the 13th or beyond, or stopping at the 11th?  What benefit does it have for the child?

Is the selection of 12 due to the connection with our archaic imperial currency system that was dispensed with in 1971?  Harking back to the days of twelve pence in a shilling - the sort of “wasn’t the past so much better” rot that is propagated by Tories - back when the proles used to know their place.

Yeah, yeah, yeah Andy, get off your class-war high-horse.

Maths is hard, there are no shortcuts (skipping ahead and skimming are not possible), and progress requires effort.  There is a need for a strong understanding of the fundamentals, and perhaps the times tables play a part in that.  In all areas of maths it is made easier to achieve success by looking for patterns and connections between numbers, spotting relationships, and learning how to apply and exploit these techniques in various ways.  

So aren't pupils currently learning the times tables?

Actually it turns out they are already learning these things at Key Stages 1 and 2.  And they are learning them in a way that reinforces understanding, recalling patterns and connections for all tables up to 12 times.

So what is this all about?

It isn't an actual change to how pupils are learning, it is a change to how they are being assessed.  The current Key Stage 2 tests will change from having an overall mark to having an additional/separate mark for the times tables.  I don't understand why there is now an emphasis on this part of Key Stage 2, surely the whole syllabus is important?

And what is the expected outcome?  If the test demonstrates that a pupil doesn't understand the times tables will there be additional teaching resource?

Presumably that is the point of this, that there are children that don't understand certain elements and that they will be helped to understand.  And if that is the case there has to be additional resource for that.

Or is it just a cheap political game designed to mislead and to allow responsibility for any failings to be laid at the door of teachers.