Teacher turned tables on maths lessons

DAVID Cameron’s insistence that all children know there multiplication tables could not have caused more controversy had he replaced detention with Tasers.

One teacher on Radio Four called teaching tables ‘draconian’ while another maintained it was more important for pupils to ‘understand what 12 X 11 means than to know the answer.’

What the hell is that about? No wonder these similar question but the don’t know how). tree had only 10 branches I was never great at each branch yielding 10 maths until I was taught bundles. by a teacher with high

By the time my expectations who youngest son got that accepted only our best question, the tree had no efforts. branches and he was He stayed behind kids are confused. many bundles of firewood asked to discuss how the regularly to coach the

I haven’t been so you would obtain from a squirrels felt about it. strugglers (like me) and baffled since Rainow Cubs tree with 14 branches that (He is now a rodent challenged us to achieve. won a seven-a-side yielded six-and-a-half trader in the City of Matching his enthusiasm football tournament with bundles each from the London.) was the least we could eight players. do.lowersevenbranchesandWhat’sthebigdealwith

I know we had some four-and-a-half bundles teaching kids basic He was street smart (we tricky maths questions in from each of the seven multiplication? Why all couldn’t con him) and our exams. I remember higher branches. the whingeing? (Unless of brilliant at his subject. having to calculate how Years later my son had a course some teachers I passed my maths exam with distinction.

Not every teacher can perform miracles but banging on about the ‘meaning’ of 12X11 sounds like a get-out for teachers who prefer more nebulous methods.

We are living in a global economy. Eventually our children will be competing for employment against students who learn this stuff for fun.

If you don’t believe me take a trip around Asia.