Students in second grade are able to solve increasingly challenging problems, explore mathematical ideas in a variety of ways, and consider multiple solutions to problems. They begin to evaluate their own thinking as well as that of others in classroom discourse about mathematical ideas.

The second-grade learning environment should reflect the developmental changes of students while focusing on the need for fundamental mathematics, interactive exploration, reflection, and justification of findings. The learning environment should allow students to investigate practical applications as they work to solve real-life problems. Students gain confidence and flexibility in problem solving as they demonstrate understanding of mathematical concepts using extended project investigations.

The content in second grade focuses on fluency with numbers, place value, reasoning, and problem solving. Algorithms for addition and subtraction may be formally introduced. Additionally, concepts such as using standard units of measure, creating and extending patterns, describing plane and solid figures through geometry, and collecting data are included. Learning with understanding is enhanced by students� use of concrete objects and a variety of mathematical tools.

In secondgrade we begin the year reviewing basic addition and subtraction.  We learn the concepts of telling time, calculating money and change, patterns with numbers to 1,000, addition with regrouping, and subtraction with borrowing during the year.  We also learn basic geometry concepts in addition to other topics of study.  Multiplication is introduced as repeated addition at this stage of learning.  Multiplication will be taught more intensively in third grade.

 Here are some suggestions for home activities to reinforce what we are learning in the classroom:

1.  Have your child memorize basic addition and subtraction facts.  Flash cards can easily be made at home using index cards.  They can also be purchased at school supply stores and Wal-Mart.  Facts are easiest learned in fact families.  (ex.  4+5=9; 5+4=9; 9-4=5; 9-5=4   The numbers in this family are 9,5, and 4.)

2.  Have your child assist you in cooking to practice measuring skills.

3.  Let your child pay when you are shopping together.  This practice will give your child the most practical application of money skills.  They will remember more from this experience than from any worksheet.

4.  Ask your child the time frequently.  Be sure to expose them to both digital and analog clocks.

5.  Play "I Spy" in the car or shopping looking for geometrical shapes.

6.  Call attention to any types of patterns you see in the environment.  Practice skip counting by 2s, 5s, and 10s to solidify number pattern concepts.

**We will take a timed math fact quiz every few weeks on basic addition and subtraction facts.  All of these quizzes will be averaged and counted as 1 test grade on the nine weeks math average.  Flash cards are the best way to prepare for these quizzes.  The grade on the quiz will reflect if the practice is being done at home.
 

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  Below are two excellent web sites for math practice!  Please take the time to visit these sites with your child!
• A+ Math
• Math Stories