Maths Made Easy: Times Tables, Ages 5-7 (Key Stage 1): Supports the National Curriculum, Multiplication Exercise Book (Made Easy Workbooks) Paperback – 1 July 2014

With no 'look inside', I wasn't sure what to expect from this book, but at the price it was worth a shot. My daughter is in Year 2, and her home learning each week for the past few weeks (and I expect a few more to come!) has been to 'practice your times tables'. Up to now, we have been quick-firing sums, which is not very interesting for either party!The book covers the times tables required for the new (2014) National Curriculum in Years 1 and 2 - 2, 5, 10, 3 and 4 - taught in that order in school and covered in the book in that order too. The only disappointing aspect is that the 3 and 4 times tables only cover up to 5x, as according to this book "it tends to be taught only up to 5x3 at average infant level". Unfortunately, not in our school, but I don't how how usual that is!Each table introduces the pattern, counting in the number, making the association between the sum and applying it e.g. 2 lots of 2 ears is the same as 2 x 2. What I really liked is that this information is then applied to dividing/sharing, an aspect that is lost when simply learning by rote. There are several exercises to reinforce the table, before moving on to the next one.The gold stars are a nice touch, and for a maths-averse child, give just enough encouragement to complete a page. We've been working on one page a day since getting the book, sometimes two if the interest is held long enough, which ties in nicely with our school's home learning target of 10 minutes times table practise a day.At the end of the book is the answer section with parents' notes. As I know my times tables, I initially didn't bother to look at this section, but the parents' notes are actually very helpful and it would have been good if they'd been highlighted on the inside front cover. For each exercise, the notes advise what your child should be doing to complete the activity, how you can help them, and what encouragement you can give, helpful if you get this book as your child embarks on their times table journey.

This is a great practical Maths work book. I bought it for my seven year old as they are currently doing a lot of Maths at school. Not to pigeon-hole her so early on, but owing to the fact that neither of her parents are mathematicians it seamed logical that a little support at home might be a good idea. She's taken to doing the book a little at a time, at her own pace and loves the gold sticker sheet it comes with. Every time she completes a page, she gets to put a gold star in the section checklist at the beginning of the book. We've both taken to sitting down with her and supervising her progress, so it has become a nice shared activity of the family. I think if either of us had had books like this when we were growing up I wouldn't have disliked maths so much at school.

good

Great book, helping me help my daughter as supplementing her homework - highly recommend.

A clearly laid X table book for children in Key stage 1

Dorling Kindersley DK know the art of publishing books for children. And this book is no exception. This book carries the same excellence that is the hallmark of DK.That was the praise.Now the bad side.They have sworn that they wouldn't give sample pages on Amazon to enable the prospective buyer, you and me, to evaluate the book for its suitability for our children's needs.I would call this attitude careless or even callous.If you are good in one department that does not give you the excuse to be deliberately bad in some very important other department.I hope they will reconsider this frivolously raucous attitude of theirs.

Very easy for my 6yr old son would recommend for 4-5

Excellent for some additional home school to top up on maths. The Gold stars supplied are a good incentive as well.