Everyday Mathematics Grade 2, Unit 3: More Fact Strategies
In this unit, your child adds more tools to their fact toolbox, with extra attention on subtraction. They learn to think of a subtraction fact as a missing addend, use fact families, and solve story problems where the unknown number is at the start, middle, or end. Next, the class turns to place value and measuring length.
By Robert “Bobby” BarnettMath teacher, parent, and founder of Bobby’s Math Club
What is my child learning in Unit 3?
- Solving story problems where the missing number can be the start, the change, or the result, and writing an equation to match. Learn more: One- and two-step story problems within 100
- Subtracting within 20 by thinking addition, so 15 - 8 becomes 'what plus 8 makes 15?', and using fact families. Learn more about adding fluently within 20: Adding fluently within 20 · Learn more about subtracting fluently within 20
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
- Hide some crackers under a bowl while your child looks away. Say, 'There were 14, and now you see 6. How many are hidden?' Ask which addition fact helps.
- Pick three numbers from a fact family, like 5, 8, and 13, during a walk or ride. Take turns saying all four facts: two adding facts and two subtracting facts.
- Tell a 'how many at first' story at snack time: 'Some birds sat on a fence. 4 more came. Now there are 11. How many were there at first?'
Where kids can get stuck
- Working out 14 - 8 from scratch by counting back, instead of asking what adds to 8 to make 14.
- Adding the two numbers in a 'how many at first' story, getting 15 birds when the story needs 11 - 4.
- Thinking a fact family is only adding facts, and not seeing that 8 + 5 = 13 also gives 13 - 5 = 8.
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
- fact family
- Related facts that use the same three numbers, like 6 + 9 = 15 and 15 - 9 = 6.
- addend
- One of the numbers you add. In 8 + 5 = 13, the addends are 8 and 5.
- difference
- The answer when you subtract. In 13 - 5 = 8, the difference is 8.
- unknown
- The number you are trying to find, often shown with a box or a question mark.
- equation
- A number sentence with an equal sign, like 13 - 5 = 8.
- count back
- Subtracting by counting down from a number, like 12, 11, 10.
Ready to build your child’s confidence with subtraction facts?
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 3 cover?
Everyday Mathematics Grade 2 Unit 3 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.