Second Grade Common Core Standards and Shifts

Math Three major changes:  More time on fewer skills  Link major topics from grade to grade  Connect math to real world problems Second Grade’s major focus is on place value.

SECOND GRADE STANDARDS Quickly and accurately add numbers together that total up to 20 or less or subtracting from numbers up through 20 Solving one-or two-step word problems by adding or subtracting numbers up through 100 Understanding what the different digits mean in a three- digit number Adding and subtracting three digit numbers Measuring lengths of objects in standard units such as inches and centimeters Solving addition and subtraction word problems involving length Solving problems involving money Breaking up a rectangle into same-size squares Dividing circles and rectangles into halves, thirds, or fourths Solving addition/subtraction word problems using information presented in a bar graph Writing equations to represent addition of equal numbers

Why do they have to know all those different ways to solve the same problem?

Conceptual Understanding: Teachers teach more than “how to get the answer” and support students’ ability to access concepts from a number of perspectives so that students are able to see math as more than a set of mnemonics or discrete procedures. Example: What would be the best strategy to solve these problems and why? = ? I would use the Friendly Number strategy because 59 is only 1 away from 60 and 60 is an easy number to add = – 1 = = – 47 = ? I would use the Counting Up Strategy because 47 is not very far from 62 so it’s easy to count up = = = = 15

Math Facts Students are expected to have speed and accuracy in calculation. Teachers structure class time and/or homework time for students to practice core functions such as addition/subtraction facts so that students are able to understand and manipulate more complex concepts. Translations: kids need to know their math facts!

Math Websites

Language Arts Three Major Changes More non-fiction and informational text including science and social studies Regular practice with complex text and its academic vocabulary. Reading and writing grounded in evidence from text (supporting reasoning/opinions with facts).

SECOND GRADE STANDARDS Reading stories, including fables and folktales from different cultures, and identifying the main idea. Reading text about history, social studies, or science and identifying the main idea. Answering who, what, where, when, why, and how questions about stories and books. Describing the reasons that an author gives to support a point. Learning and using new words Learning the rules of spoken and written English Participating in class discussions by listening and building on what others are saying Describing in their own words information learned from articles or books read aloud Working together to gather facts and information on a topic. Writing about a short series of events and describing actions, thoughts, and feelings. Writing about opinions on books using important details and examples to support a position.

Ways to Help at Home Provide time and space for your child to read independently free from distractions. All children need to be reading on grade level by the end of third grade. Model reading by allowing your child to see you reading at home. Make sure your child has a library card. In every day discussion, encourage your child to explain his/her thinking and support reasoning with facts. Encourage your child to write: thank you letters, journals, pen pals, personal stories and poems, etc.