Our math program is called Everyday Mathematics. It is a hands-on challenging
program that prepares children to "think" math and to solve problems
creatively. Usually there is a "right" answer in math, yet there are many ways
to get there. Our program encourages to think of strategies and learn from
each other.
Here are some expectations of what second graders will learn: telling time to
the minute, counting money and making change, addition and subtraction facts
to 18, introduction to multiplication and division, measurement skills, adding
and subtracting 2-digit numbers, estimation skills, mental math, and reading
numbers up to 6-or 7-digits.
We do most of our written work in a math journal. Occasionally, I will send
the journal home for a short assignment, to catch up, or for you to help your
child with corrections. After each unit, I will tear out the pages from that
unit and send them home. Please look carefully to discover what your child's
strengths and weaknesses are. Hopefully, you can spend a little extra time in
these areas helping your child.
Math Home Links: A math home link will be sent home for homework and to be
returned the following day. I strongly encourage you to check over your
child's homework for understanding and reinforcement before your child brings
it back to school. In doing so, your child will be ready to move on with a
better understanding of the skill and gain more confidence with the next
lesson in class. Most home links will have parent note at the top of the
page. Please make sure you read it so that you understand what was taught in
class that day.
A final note on math. This year your child will learn the computation skills
we called "carrying," "borrowing," or "renaming." Please do not try to teach
your child this skill at home, even if you think it would be helpful; we teach
this concept late in the year for a reason. There are other ways to arrive at
answers for 2-digit addition and subtraction, and I want the children to be
open to exploring these ideas first.
Thank you for your help at home. Together, will work to help your child
develop into a very good math student, well-prepared for the new challenges in
third grade and beyond.
