There are some very tricky targets for Year 4, including learning times tables and formal written methods of multiplication and division. The new Programme of Study states: Multiplication and division Pupils should be taught to: •    recall multiplication and division facts for multiplication tables up to 12 × 12 •    use place value, known and derived facts to multiply and divide mentally, including: multiplying by 0 and 1; dividing by 1; multiplying together three numbers •    recognise and use factor pairs and commutativity in mental calculations •    multiply two-digit and three-digit numbers by a one-digit number using formal written layout •    solve problems involving multiplying and adding, including using the distributive law to multiply two digit numbers by one digit, integer scaling problems and harder correspondence problems such as n objects are connected to m objects. What’s new and comments The big and somewhat controversial change in Year 4 is that multiplication tables have to be recalled up to 12 x 12. In a decimal world many are asking why this is necessary. Of course, when we had 12 pence to a shilling it made sense for children to learn multiples of 12 but perhaps it is not so important now. It is expected that children will be fluent in the formal written method of short multiplication and short division with exact answers. This target used to be in Year 5 and is an important change. Whilst it only mentions solving problems in the statutory requirements the attached guidance states that children should solve two step problems, working with increasingly hard numbers. Many children find solving two step problems very hard and are unsure of how to approach questions involving two steps to reach the answer, so plenty of practise is needed. We have a wide range of multiplication and division worksheets, covering tables, mental methods of calculating and the standard written methods for year 4. Go to Year 4 Multiplication Go to Year 4 Division