Illustrative Mathematics Grade 2, Unit 1: Adding Subtracting and Working with Data
In this unit, the year opens with adding and subtracting within 20 and with data. Your child works toward knowing facts by heart, using doubles and making ten, and builds picture graphs and bar graphs from questions they ask the class. Then they add and subtract to answer questions about the graphs. Adding and subtracting within 100 comes next.
By Robert “Bobby” BarnettMath teacher, parent, and founder of Bobby’s Math Club
What is my child learning in Unit 1?
- Finding sums and differences within 20 by heart or with quick strategies, such as 8 + 5 as 8 + 2 + 3. Learn more about adding fluently within 20: Adding fluently within 20 · Learn more about subtracting fluently within 20
- Drawing picture graphs and bar graphs from collected data and using them to answer put-together and compare 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
- Ask a few people a question, like their favorite color, and help your child show the answers as a picture graph with one smiley face per person.
- Practice make-ten facts on a walk or ride: say 8 + 5 and ask your child to explain how filling up a ten helps.
- Look at a bar graph you made together and ask how many in all and how many more are in one group than another.
Where kids can get stuck
- Misreading a bar that ends between two grid lines and guessing a number one too high.
- Mixing up near doubles, saying 6 + 7 is 12 because 6 + 6 is 12.
- Treating 13 − 4 as a new problem instead of using 4 + 9 = 13.
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.
- make ten
- Filling up a ten first to add, like 9 + 6 = 9 + 1 + 5 = 15.
- sum
- The answer when you add numbers together.
- difference
- The answer when you subtract; it also tells how much more one amount is.
- data
- Information collected by counting, measuring, or asking questions.
- 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, like apples or bananas.
Ready to build your child’s confidence with addition 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.
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 Illustrative Mathematics Grade 2 Unit 1 cover?
Illustrative 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.