Everyday Mathematics Grade 2, Unit 1: Establishing Routines
In this unit, your child settles into second grade math by warming up the skills they will use all year. They practice addition and subtraction facts within 20, count by 5s, 10s, and 100s, and make simple graphs from things they count. These routines lead straight into the next unit, where kids learn quick strategies for addition facts.
By Robert “Bobby” BarnettMath teacher, parent, and founder of Bobby’s Math Club
What is my child learning in Unit 1?
- Reviewing addition and subtraction facts within 20, and noticing which sums, or answers to adding, they already know by heart. Learn more about adding fluently within 20: Adding fluently within 20 · Learn more about subtracting fluently within 20
- Counting forward by 5s, 10s, and 100s, starting from numbers other than zero, such as 35 or 120. Learn more about counting within 1,000: Counting within 1,000 · Learn more about skip-counting by 5s, 10s, and 100s
- Building picture graphs and bar graphs from class counts, then answering 'how many in all' and 'how many more' questions. Learn more: Making and reading picture graphs and bar graphs
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
Which subtraction has the same answer as 10 - 3?
- 15 - 8
- 13 - 3
- 15 - 7
How you can help
- Flip two playing cards from ace to 9 at the kitchen table and race to say the sum. When a fact feels tricky, ask your child how they figured it out.
- Count by 5s or 10s on a walk or ride, starting at an unusual number like 35 or 120. Take turns saying the next number and see how far you get.
- Ask everyone at dinner to pick a favorite fruit from three choices. Help your child draw a picture graph, then ask how many more chose the top fruit than the last one.
Where kids can get stuck
- Counting on fingers from 1 for facts like 9 + 6, instead of using a shortcut such as making a ten.
- Stumbling when a count crosses a hundred, saying 'one hundred ninety, one hundred one hundred' instead of 200.
- Answering a 'how many more' graph question with the total of both bars instead of the difference between them.
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
- sum
- The answer when you add. In 8 + 5 = 13, the sum is 13.
- difference
- The answer when you subtract. In 13 - 5 = 8, the difference is 8.
- fact family
- Related facts that use the same three numbers, like 6 + 9 = 15 and 15 - 9 = 6.
- skip-count
- To count by a number other than 1, such as 5, 10, 15, 20.
- picture graph
- A graph that uses small pictures to show how many are in each group.
- bar graph
- A graph that uses bars of different lengths to show and compare amounts.
- category
- One group on a graph, such as apples on a graph of favorite fruits.
Want to help your child master math facts and graphs?
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.
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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 Everyday Mathematics Grade 2 Unit 1 cover?
Everyday 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.