It used to be in Grade III textbooks in the 1960s when I was in primary school and till the 2000, my daughter's time in primary.


Now I’m seeing that while there’s lot more information in the textbooks, Math is watered down. In Grades III, Children are learning shapes and patterns and in Grade IV, counting sets of patterns and the decimal system when they should be learning areas inside triangles and circles; if not on volumes. The Multiplication Table is now introduced in Grade V.


I believe this delay is due to the ‘no child left behind’ till Grade IX - policy followed in Indian schools. Any thoughts?

I don't live in India and I personally care for no children in primary school (or any children at all).

I have noticed my grandchildren during preschool age were taught the concept of multiplication by their parents and daycare providers.

Its kinda strange to meet a 4 year old who asks for 2 pieces of candy for 3 people and they know how many they should get. Just try giving them only 5 pieces of candy andsee what happens, lol.

My youngest granddaughter was doing beginner multiplication in kindergarten and had multiplication homework in 1st grade.
She picked it right up but my son and his wife work with them constantly and buy them lil electronic learning games.

In school, math came easy for me. It was one class I knew I would get an A (4.0). Science also came very easy for me. Language arts and current events is where I would pull my hair out and curse the universe. But, I managed to pass with good grades anyhoo.

Most public school systems are regulated by the gov't. There are websites which explain the qualifications and requirements usually via a Dept of Education website here in the states. Dunno about India?

http://www2.ed.gov/policy/landing.jhtml

Overview

Legislation, regulations, guidance, and other policy documents can be found here for the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), and other topics.

Please note that in the U.S., the federal role in education is limited. Because of the Tenth Amendment, most education policy is decided at the state and local levels. So, if you have a question about a policy or issue, you may want to check with the relevant organization in your state or school district.

Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) supersedes No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act.

Difficult to say as school systems are different in every country.
For instance, grade 9?????? I have no idea what that should be.
We have
2 yrs kindergarten age 4 - 6
6 yrs primary school age 6 - 12
4 yrs secondary school age 12-16
follow schools but this can vary from 1 - 4 yrs or longer maybe, depending on what it is.

I cannot recall with certainty when we got the tables, I think it was in 4th class of primary.
But I switched schools from 3 to 4th year and the new school had even had fractions in the 3rd year. I had not had fractions at all yet on the previous school so I had to work hard to catch up. Never really did as I'm more into language, even at that age.

Personally I think these days kids have to get their heads filled with way too much crap at too early an age. Less and less time to be a child, have fun, play, and enjoy. The things children should do.
Kids even start learning English in kindergarten! What kind of bullcr@p is that? And learning to use computers etc.
I'd much rather see that they let the kids play more.

I teach in international schools. Multiplication in international schools is typically taught in Grade 3, although we started to introduce it when I taught Grade 2 last year. But they hit it hard in Grade 3. In the USA multiplication is taught in Grade 3 also. You can easily Google the Common Core State Standards for Grade 3 math and see that multiplication is listed.

Thanks Tom,
Also for ‘5 candies and 3 people’, lovely example

This Post is because 5 years ago, I was trying to motivate my neighbor’s kid, then a restless 10-year-old / Grade III (we call it IIIrd Standard here) to memorize the Tables. His younger brother then 9-years, knew the Tables.

Back then, when I gave him a few problems (after walking through an example) the kid disappeared, then returned with the answers. Found out that the kid had borrowed his father’s cell phone to get the answers.

Now the 'kid' is in VIII Std.
And his Math textbook watered down to the old V Std levels I remember. God save this Country.

Thanks Crystal,
For marking out appropriate age with grades




To the above, add, vanishing playgrounds here

Hi Bonnie,
Very valuable reference, thanks.
Makes amateurs like me realize the seriousness

Ever notice

0x9=0
1x9=9
2x9=18
3x9=27
4x9=36
5x9=45
6x9=54
7x9=63
8x9=72
9x9=81
10x9=90

0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9
9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1,0

I had to memorize my times tables in school.
Now, at 60 years old I don't use times tables much.
I look at the multiplier and the number being multiplied and do easy multiplication then add the results.

4x286= 4x6=24, 4x8=32+2=34, 4x2=8+3=11 ~ 11/4/4 or 1144
I easily know 4x20=80 add another 0 for 4x200=800 Now I just need to figure out 4x86. Well, 4x86=344, 4x6=24 ~ I know the last number will be a 4. I now I need to carry the 2 to the next number. 4x8=32+2=34 ~ I know the next number will be a 4, I now carry the 3 to the original 800 resulting with the 800 now being 1100. Now I know 1100 40 & 4 = 40+4=44 / 44+1100=1144 Its actually simple addition, Can be done in the head.

What concerns me is not children memorizing multiplication tables, what concerns me is how many young adults working in retail have no idea what change you get back unless a computerized register tells them.

Many times, when I pay with cash, I know what change I get back before they do!

simple mutiplication starts in kindergarten here... a very interesting lesson for kids.. enjoyable especially when the counters used are colorful... memorization of the multiplication starts in grade 2...
but its true that a lot of learners struggle in multiplication... especially so that gadgets are everywhere...