Homework

Please see below information regarding your child’s maths and reading homework each week:

KS1 – Numbots

In Years 1 and 2, our children have access to NumBots, which is an online resource which allows our children to practise their fluency with addition and subtraction facts.

Read the following for more information about how the website works. There are two modes – Story Mode for Understanding and Challenge Mode for Recall. Each week we would like them to spend time on Numbots.

Mode 1: Story Mode for Understanding

In Story Mode, the emphasis is on mathematical concepts and is underpinned by a mastery approach to teaching. Story Mode features visual representations, procedural variation, exposure to different calculation strategies and interleaved material all in very carefully sequenced order.

Unlocking Levels

Story Mode is set out as a series of Stages (Rust, Tin, Iron, etc) containing levels, a bit like Angry Birds. Rust is the first Stage and level 1 is unlocked, so this is the place for everyone to start. To unlock the next level, players need to earn two stars by showing sufficient proficiency. The levels in Story Mode follow a natural mathematical progression and move the pupil through the game automatically.

Get In The Habit

Aim for the children to play in Story Mode for three minutes four to five times a week, to get the best out of NumBots. Little and often is key (spaced practice is more effective than blocked practice).

Mode 2: Challenge Mode for Recall

In Challenge Mode, the emphasis is on rapid responses to essential facts and simple sums, against the clock.

Unlocking Challenges

Challenge Mode is locked for new users and is unlocked once players reach a certain level on Story Mode. It’s currently set to unlock part way through Tin stage. There are 20 Challenge levels and only the first is unlocked to begin with. To unlock the next Challenge, players must correctly answer 12 questions in a minute.

Key Skills

Each Challenge focuses on a different key skill:

Key Skill:	Example:
1. Adding and subtracting 1 or 2 within 10	1 + 3, 8 – 2
2. Number bonds to 5	3 + ? = 5
3. Doubles within 10 (i.e. up to 5+5)	4 + 4
4. Adding and subtracting 1 and 2 within 20	17 + 2, 11 – 1
5. Number bonds to 10	3 + ? = 10
6. Adding and subtracting 10 within 20	3 + 10, 16 – 10
7. Doubles within 20 (i.e. up to 10+10)	8 + 8
8. Adding two 1-digit numbers	5 + 7
9. Number Bonds to 20	8 + ? = 20
10. Subtracting 1-digit numbers within 20	14 – 6
11. Adding and subtracting 1, 2 and 10 within 100	1 + 74, 51 – 2, 38 + 10
12. Adding and subtracting 2-digit numbers to/from multiples of 10	20 + 64, 83 – 20
13. Addition by bridging a multiple of 10	25 + 6, 47 + 5
14. Subtraction by bridging a multiple of 10	25 – 6, 42 – 5
15. Number bonds to 100	52 + ? = 100
16. Using compensation to add and subtract within 100	35 + 19, 35 – 19
17. Adding by partitioning two 2-digit numbers	64 + 25, 10 + 64
18. Subtracting by partitioning two 2-digit numbers	64 – 23, 47 – 31
19. Adding any two 2-digit numbers	63 + 56, 63 + 58
20. Subtracting any two 2-digit numbers	76 – 43, 76 – 47

Information from: https://static.numbots.com/data/pdf/NumBotsGettingStartedGuideforschools.pdf

 

 

KS2 – TTRS

Times Tables 

Why are times tables important? 

Times tables are one of the building blocks of mathematics. Children who know their multiplication and division facts can work more confidently with fractions, decimals, percentages, area, perimeter and more complex calculations. The National Curriculum expects children to develop quick and accurate recall of these facts throughout Key Stage 2.  

 

What should my child know? 

Year 3 

Children learn and practise: 

2 times table

3 times table

4 times table

5 times table

8 times table

10 times table

Related division facts

By the end of Year 3, children should be able to recall and use multiplication and division facts for the 3, 4 and 8 times tables confidently.  

Year 4 

Children continue to practise all previously learned tables and learn: 

6 times table

7 times table

9 times table

11 times table

12 times table

All related division facts

By the end of Year 4, children are expected to know all multiplication and division facts up to 12 × 12. They will also take the national Multiplication Tables Check (MTC).  

Years 5 and 6 

Children continue to practise all times tables and division facts so that they can: 

Recall facts quickly and accurately

Use them confidently in written calculations

Apply them when solving mathematical problems

Rapid recall helps children access more challenging areas of mathematics with confidence. 

 

How can Times Tables Rock Stars help? 

Times Tables Rock Stars (TTRS) is an online programme that helps children learn and practise their multiplication and division facts through fun, engaging games. It is designed to improve both accuracy and speed of recall.  

TTRS helps children to: 

Practise the times tables they need to learn

Build confidence and fluency

Improve their speed of recall

Learn related division facts

Prepare for the Year 4 Multiplication Tables Check

Develop positive attitudes towards maths through rewards and challenges

 

How often should my child practise? 

Little and often works best. 

We recommend that children: 

• Log in at least 3 times per week 

• Practise for 5 to 10 minutes each session 

• Focus on accuracy before speed 

• Celebrate their progress and personal bests 

Regular practice helps children develop the automatic recall needed to succeed in mathematics.  

Click on the images below to see how Numbots and TTRS can be used by your child.