From 5/25 to 25/25: Karen Lea, a Year 4 teacher, tells us how our MTC preparation resources helped to transform her students' results!
After signing up for our series of MTC preparation webinars, Karen Lea was inspired to use our MTC Prep Schedule to assess the level of her class in the months leading up to the official MTC.
In the build up to the test, Karen, a Year 4 teacher from Peterhouse C of E Primary Academy, used our schedule to create an extensive pre-MTC super-boost.
We’re talking incentives and rewards, achievable targets, utilisation of the different game modes, displays, and time-specific rotas.
And the results – WOW! Prepared to be blown away; Karen Lea Super MTC edition…
KEY FACT FILE
TEACHER’S NAME:
Karen Lea
SCHOOL NAME:
Peterhouse C of E Primary Academy
LOCATION:
Norfolk, England
ROCK NAME:
Ann Diamond
1. SETTING A BASELINE
At the beginning of the year, Karen noted that her class’ times tables recall appeared to be weak, particularly with the 2s, 5s, and 10s. So, to kickstart their MTC campaign, every pupil completed a game in Soundcheck, which was then used as their baseline score.
2. SETTING TARGETS
Once the results were in, Karen set each pupil with a target of slightly higher than their baseline score.
Karen then encouraged her class to practise on Soundcheck regularly. Once a pupil had achieved their target three times, they were set a new, higher one.
3. SETTING REWARDS
Each pupil was then rewarded with a Times Tables Rock Stars pencil (or Class Dojo points). You can buy our TTRS merch (including the pencils) here!
The children’s successes were also celebrated on the classroom display. Need help making a pretty display? We got you. Log in and see our Display Pack.
REINFORCEMENT, ROTAS, AND REGULAR PRACTICE
Using our ‘Tables Passed’ Table, designed specifically for MTC preparation, Karen was able to identify which tables her pupils were not securing, individually and collectively as a class.
These ‘problem’ facts were then placed around the classroom and throughout the day, Karen would ask her class these questions.
The class Teaching Assistant worked her magic too!
She led targeted interventions for any pupil who was scoring between 15-20 on Soundcheck.
Karen introduced a rota so that each child played 10 minutes a day, every morning.
To ensure the progress continued its upward journey, Karen’s class used the different game modes and competitions! Playing against the other Year 4 class was particularly popular!
TAKING IT HOME!
One of the many beauties of TT Rock Stars (if we may say so ourselves), is that every pupil who has access to a school account can also play at home! This has endless benefits, but mainly, that extra practice can make a huge difference.
The parents at Peterhouse Primary School were informed of the programme and the expectation that children should practise at home. Having said this, Karen indicated that the children were so enthusiastic to practise, that the initiative to play at home was driven by the pupils themselves!
“One of the key things I feel is crucial is creating a buzz around TTRS. I knew it was working when pupils would come in begging for me to show the class their Soundcheck score or this week's tournament. It was fantastic to see their confidence growing and it never mattered whether a pupil was proud because they had achieved their target of 14/25 or the pupil who was now scoring 25/25 every single time on Soundcheck.”
Karen LeaYear 4 Teacher, Peterhouse C of E Primary AcademyGOOD NEWS STORIES
The final outcome for Karen’s class were epic!
A whopping 14 pupils out of 25 scored 25/25, with 76% scoring 20 or higher!
"One success story was a boy who started on 5/25, who was then given the target of 7/25. This young man smashed every target and ended the year with a confident 25/25."
Karen LeaYear 4 Teacher, Peterhouse C of E Primary Academy