We have been busy learning many new skills and strategies and using a lot of different math tools, such as visual cluster cards, base 10 blocks, place value dice, and Cuisenaire rods.
Second graders have been working on using a variety of strategies to solve addition and subtraction number stories. We have explored different ways to show our understanding of how to add
or subtract 10s and 1s by using base 10 blocks, drawings of base 10
blocks, equations, and number lines. Students are making great progress with "keeping one number whole" and then adding or subtracting 10s and 1s. We have also worked on unknown change problems in which students need to figure out the number that was added or subtracted to get a new number.
We have also been exploring what it means for a number to be even or odd. We have been dividing numbers into pairs and equal teams as part of our learning.
Students have also continued working on skills, such as adding 10 or 100 to a number, building and comparing numbers into the thousands, and telling time to the nearest five minutes.
We are having fun using our new Cuisenaire rods. We have been using them to practice our +1 and Make 10 addition and subtraction facts, explore place value, and build numbers. We will continue to use these wonderful math tools throughout the year.
The photos below show one of our favorite dice games that helps us understand expanded notation and how to write and read numbers up to 9,999. The third graders sometimes join in this game as they transition back to our classroom for snack time.
