Bridges in Mathematics Grade 2, Unit 1: Figure the Facts
In this unit, your child works toward knowing addition and subtraction facts within 20 by heart, using doubles, making ten, and fact families (sets of related facts). Those quick facts then power one- and two-step story problems and early two-digit adding and subtracting. The year starts here because speedy facts make the place value and measuring work that comes next much easier.
By Robert “Bobby” BarnettMath teacher, parent, and founder of Bobby’s Math Club
What is my child learning in Unit 1?
- Solving one- and two-step story problems by drawing a quick picture and writing an equation, a number sentence with a box for the missing number. Learn more: One- and two-step story problems within 100
- Using doubles, near doubles, and making ten to add and subtract within 20, aiming to know every sum by heart. Learn more about adding fluently within 20: Adding fluently within 20 · Learn more about subtracting fluently within 20
- Adding and subtracting two-digit numbers like 36 + 20 or 45 − 9 by thinking in tens and ones. Learn more about adding within 100: Adding within 100 · Learn more about subtracting within 100
Sample questions to try together
These are real questions from our practice. Tap the speaker to hear one read aloud, or the light bulb for a hint, and talk about the answer together.
Question 1 of 3
What is 80 minus 20?
- 50
- 60
- 70
How you can help
- Play a card flip game with the ace through 9: turn over two cards, race to say the sum, and talk about which fact helped, such as 6 + 6 helping with 6 + 7.
- Make up a two-step snack story: "We had 15 crackers, ate 6, then opened a pack of 10. How many now?" Ask your child to tell you each step.
- Ask a quick fact on a walk or ride, then its partner: "If 9 + 5 is 14, what is 14 − 5?" Let your child explain how both facts belong to one fact family.
Where kids can get stuck
- Counting on fingers from 1 for facts like 8 + 6, instead of using a known fact such as 8 + 2 = 10.
- Answering 7 + 8 = 16 because the double 8 + 8 = 16 is close and feels right.
- Giving the middle answer of a two-step story problem and forgetting the second step.
Practice makes perfect
Bobby's Math Club has practice problems that adapt to your child’s level, each with a detailed explanation and an easy-to-follow video, so your child can build confidence in these skills one step at a time.
Words your child will hear
- doubles
- Facts where a number is added to itself, like 7 + 7 = 14.
- near doubles
- Facts one away from a double, like 7 + 8, which is one more than 7 + 7.
- fact family
- Related facts that use the same three numbers, like 6 + 9 = 15 and 15 − 9 = 6.
- make a ten
- Filling up a ten first to add, like 8 + 5 = 8 + 2 + 3 = 13.
- sum
- The answer when you add numbers together.
- difference
- The answer when you subtract; it also tells how much more one amount is.
- equation
- A number sentence with an equal sign, like 9 + 4 = 13.
- two-step problem
- A story problem that needs two math steps to solve.
Ready to build your child’s confidence with addition facts to 20?
In Bobby's Math Club, your child practices these skills at just the right level, with a hint when they need one, a clear explanation after every question, and kid-friendly videos. Unlimited practice is free.
Join the club
Written by Robert “Bobby” Barnett
Bobby is an award-winning math teacher, the author of Meet Every Learner’s Needs, and the father of two elementary-school math learners. He uses Bobby’s Math Club with his own kids a few times every week. Learn more or contact Bobby.
Which math standards does Bridges in Mathematics Grade 2 Unit 1 cover?
Bridges in Mathematics Grade 2 Unit 1 covers these math standards. Each one links to what it means, sample questions, and teaching strategies.
For teachers: Unit names and order vary between editions and districts, so your school’s own materials have the exact sequence. Learn how Bobby's Math Club can help your students grow.