Saxon Math Grade 2, Section 1: Basic Fact Strategies & Place Value

In this unit, your child practices addition and subtraction fact strategies within 20, like doubles and making ten, a little every day. They also learn place value, the idea that a digit's position tells its worth, reading and writing numbers with hundreds, tens, and ones. Strong facts and place value set up two-digit adding and subtracting next.

By Math teacher, parent, and founder of Bobby’s Math Club

What is my child learning in Section 1?

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

  1. Do a short fact warm-up on a walk or ride, asking three doubles and then three doubles-plus-one facts, like 6 + 6 and then 6 + 7.
  2. Write a number like 324 on a sticky note and ask what each digit is worth, then build the tens and ones with groups of 10 straws.
  3. Read the numbers on a receipt together and ask your child to write one in words and in expanded form.

Where kids can get stuck

  • Answering 9 + 8 as 18 because the double 9 + 9 is 18.
  • Writing three hundred five as 3005 because it sounds that way.
  • Seeing the 2 in 324 as just 2 instead of 2 tens, or 20.

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.
doubles plus one
A fact one more than a double, like 6 + 7, which is 6 + 6 + 1.
make ten
Filling up a ten first to add, like 9 + 6 = 9 + 1 + 5 = 15.
digit
One of the symbols 0 through 9 that we use to write numbers.
place value
The value a digit has because of its spot in a number: ones, tens, or hundreds.
hundreds
Groups of 100. In 706, the 7 means 7 hundreds, or 700.
expanded form
A number written as the sum of its parts, like 400 + 30 + 6 for 436.

Ready to build your child’s confidence with fact strategies and place value?

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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Robert “Bobby” Barnett

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 Saxon Math Grade 2 Section 1 cover?

Saxon Math Grade 2 Section 1 covers these math standards. Each one links to what it means, sample questions, and teaching strategies.

  • 2.OA.B.2: Fluently add and subtract within 20.
  • 2.NBT.A.1: Understand that the three digits of a three-digit number represent amounts of hundreds, tens, and ones.
  • 2.NBT.A.3: Read and write numbers to 1000 using base-ten numerals, number names, and expanded form.

All 2nd grade math standards

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.