Despite what many people think, making your children memorize their "times tables" is VERY important. Yes, we have calculators and we will use them as adults for long division, large numbered multiplication and so on but this is not that. The problem children face who do not memorize their times tables up to 12 shows up blatantly when they reach middle school and begin Pre-Algebra, Algebra, and Geometry. Students who do not know these simple facts have trouble with "math fluency", the ability to complete simple math facts quickly and correctly. Students who have to stop during the middle of an Algebra problem to use the calculator to find our what 4 x 7 is, are at a disadvantage because they are having to do this over and over. This problem causes them to be slower (less fluid) than the other students and by the time they finish with the activity the teacher/class has moved on to the next step in the lesson/unit and they end up falling behind and feeling stupid. How frustrating is that? Extremely. I see this every day in Algebra 1 classes, it is hard to watch.
Most states have moved to the three year math requirement for high school graduation, culminating with Algebra 2, so pay attention parents and get your kids some multiplication flash cards or use an online quizzing program ASAP. Students should have these solidly memorized by the end of the fourth grade depending on the school district. This skill will never be obsolete and is a building block for math fluency which is a foundation for higher math like Alg 1, Geometry, and Alg 2. I will post some links for you regarding this issue:).
Mrs. Anderson
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