Math

The Common Core Standards are used to guide math instruction in our classroom.  Instructional time focuses on four critical areas for second graders:
1 extending understanding of base-ten notation
2 building fluency with addition and subtraction
3 using standard units of measure
4 describing and analyzing shapes           
                                           
Here's an overview of the standards for second graders:

• Operations and Algebraic Thinking

  • Represent and solve problems involving addition and subtraction.
  • Add and subtract within 20.
  • Work with equal groups of objects to gain foundations for multiplication.

• Number and Operations in Base Ten

  • Understand place value.
  • Use place value understanding and properties of operations to add and subtract.

• Measurement and Data

  • Measure and estimate lengths in standard units.
  • Relate addition and subtraction to length.
  • Work with time and money.
  • Represent and interpret data.

• Geometry

  • Reason with shapes and their attributes.

• Mathematical Practices

  1. 1. Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them.
  2. 2. Reason abstractly and quantitatively.
  3. 3. Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others.
  4. 4. Model with mathematics.
  5. 5. Use appropriate tools strategically.
  6. 6. Attend to precision.
  7. 7. Look for and make use of structure.
  8. 8. Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning.

During math workshop, we gather for a whole class math lesson each day.  For a large portion of our math block children are engaged in math centers where they work independently or with peers to develop math concepts and skills.  In addition to whole group instruction, children also receive instruction in small groups and in one-on-one conferences with the teacher.  As with our other workshops in the day, we end math with a share session and wrap-up.