Everyday Mathematics Grade 2, Unit 2: Fact Strategies
In this unit, your child learns quick strategies for addition facts, such as doubles, near doubles, and making a ten. They use those facts to solve story problems and begin adding and subtracting bigger numbers within 100. This builds on the warm-up routines from the start of the year and leads into more fact strategies, especially for subtraction.
By Robert “Bobby” BarnettMath teacher, parent, and founder of Bobby’s Math Club
What is my child learning in Unit 2?
- Solving addition and subtraction story problems, deciding whether to add or subtract, and showing the story with a drawing or an equation. Learn more: One- and two-step story problems within 100
- Using doubles, like 6 + 6, and near doubles, like 6 + 7, to find sums within 20 quickly. Learn more about adding fluently within 20: Adding fluently within 20 · Learn more about subtracting fluently within 20
- Adding and subtracting two-digit numbers within 100 by working with tens and ones, such as 40 + 25 or 68 - 30. 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
- Call out a double while you set the table, like 'seven plus seven,' then a near double, 'seven plus eight.' Ask how knowing the first fact helps with the second.
- Make up a quick story at the store: 'We need 12 apples and have 5 in the bag. How many more do we need?' Let your child decide whether to add or subtract.
- Add tens on a walk or ride: start at 25 and take turns adding 10 at each corner. Ask your child which digit changes each time and which stays the same.
Where kids can get stuck
- Mixing up near doubles, answering 7 + 8 = 16 because the double 8 + 8 = 16 is close by.
- Adding whenever a story says 'more,' as in 'Sam has 15 cards, 6 more than Mia,' where Mia has 9.
- Treating the 4 tens in 40 as 4 ones, so 40 + 25 is written as 29 instead of 65.
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 that add a number to itself, like 7 + 7 = 14.
- near doubles
- Facts that are one more than a double, like 7 + 8, which is one more than 7 + 7.
- make a ten
- A strategy that fills a ten first, so 9 + 5 becomes 10 + 4.
- sum
- The answer when you add. In 8 + 5 = 13, the sum is 13.
- equation
- A number sentence with an equal sign, like 13 - 5 = 8.
- tens
- Groups of ten. The 4 in 45 means 4 tens, or 40.
- ones
- Single units. The 5 in 45 means 5 ones.
Want to help your child master addition fact strategies?
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 2 cover?
Everyday Mathematics Grade 2 Unit 2 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.