Math

 Throughout the school year, second graders will focus of four themes of mathematics.  These themes are: extending understanding of base-ten notation, building fluency with addition and subtraction, using standard units of measure, and describing and analyzing shapes.  To learn more about these themes, click here: 4 Themes of Mathematics.

Our Current Unit:  Measurement

This week we started our linear measurement unit.  Students will be working with a variety of measurement units, both nonstandard and standard.  The unit begins with students exploring measurement using nonstandard units such as tiles, paperclips, and craft sticks to measure.  Midway through the unit, we will shift toward standard units of measure: inches, feet, centimeters, and meters.

During this unit students will learn to estimate length as well as to apply strategies that lead to accurate measurement (measure from one end of the object, align your measurement tool in a straight line, have no gaps or overlaps when moving your measurement tool).  Students will also explore the idea that different measurement units yield different lengths of the same object.  For example, an object that measures three craft sticks may measure 9 paper clips.  Students will understand and be able to explain why this is true.  Determining why we sometimes use standard units of measure will be another part of this unit.  Students will participate in an activity in which a builder is unable to successfully build a horse stall because he and his client are using different units of measure.  As a part of this work, we will be exploring when it is ok to use nonstandard units of measure and when is it important to use standard unit.  One last goal of this unit is for students to find the difference between two lengths.  Although this may seem straight-forward to us, it is often a skill that is tricky for student!

In addition to our measurement work, we will be focusing on building fluency with our subtraction combinations.  Spending a few minutes every day on these combinations at home will be extremely helpful for your student!

·Sample Learning Targets

• ·         I can measure objects using nonstandard units (paper clip, craft sticks, tiles, etc.)
• ·         I can interate units to measure length (iterating is moving my measurement tool)
• ·         I can explain possible sources of measurement errors
• ·         I can explain why different-sized units give me different counts
• ·         I can explain the need for a common unit in order to compare measurements

Things You Can Do At Home

• ·         Watch for situations in which you use measurement in your daily life.  Point these situations out to your student and discuss.
• ·         Have each member of your family measure a specific length (how far from the door to the table, for example).  Discuss why you got different counts.  Also, discuss the concept that the larger the unit of measure, the smaller the count.
  ·         Provide opportunities for your student to measure with a ruler, yard stick, or tape measure.
  ·         Help your student practice his/her subtraction combinations.  There are many card and dice games which provide subtraction opportunities.  There are also numerous online games.  Here are three possible websites you can use: Ducky Race, Balloon Pop Subtraction or Fruit Splat Subtraction.