Grade 2 · Math

Grade 2 math

Grade 2 is the year of two-digit numbers: adding and subtracting them, trading tens for ones, and using them for time and money. Here is what it covers, where kids usually get stuck, and one way to help.

What your child learns this year

Every curriculum words it differently, but most grade 2 classes cover the same ground:

Bigger numbers. Numbers to 100 and beyond (to 1000 in the US), counting by 2s, 5s and 10s, and even and odd.
Adding and subtracting. Two-digit numbers, in the head and on paper, including trading a ten for ten ones.
The start of multiplying. Equal groups and arrays, like 3 rows of 4.
Fractions. Halves, thirds and quarters of a shape, and that the pieces must be equal.
Measurement. Length in centimetres and metres (inches and feet in the US too), and telling time.
Money and data. Counting coins, and making and reading bar graphs and pictographs.

Where kids usually get stuck

1Taking the small digit from the big one. For 52 − 27, doing 7 − 2 in the ones column and getting 35. The answer is 25.
2Reading the hour hand too early. At 2:45 the short hand is nearly at 3, so kids read it as 3:45. It hasn't reached 3 yet.
3Halves that aren't equal. Calling any two pieces “halves”. A half is one of two equal pieces.

One of Pip's tricks

Trade a ten for ten ones

Use it when subtracting in columns when the top ones digit is smaller than the bottom one, like 52 − 27.

Look at the ones. If the top digit is smaller, trade one ten from the tens column for ten ones.
Cross out the tens digit and write one less; add 10 to the ones.
Now subtract the ones, then the tens.

Watch it work. 52 − 27. The 2 is smaller than the 7, so trade: 52 becomes 4 tens and 12 ones. Then 12 − 7 = 5, and 4 tens − 2 tens = 2 tens. The answer is 25.

Why it works: a ten and ten ones are the same amount, so the trade changes how the number looks but not what it is worth.

Try three

Have a go, then tap to see the answer.

1.63 − 38 = ?
Show the answer
25. Trade a ten: 5 tens and 13 ones. 13 − 8 = 5, and 5 tens − 3 tens = 2 tens.
2.71 − 45 = ?
Show the answer
26. Trade a ten: 6 tens and 11 ones. 11 − 5 = 6, and 6 tens − 4 tens = 2 tens.
3.The long hand points at the 9 and the short hand is just before the 3. What time is it?
Show the answer
2:45. The short hand hasn't reached 3 yet, so it is still the 2 o'clock hour, and the long hand on 9 means 45 minutes.

How Sparkpip fits in

Pip, Sparkpip's tutor, works through problems like these with your child one small step at a time, using tricks like the one above.

Start free See how it works

Your curriculum

Sparkpip is built on the grade 2 math curriculum for your province or state. The official pages:

Also: Grade 1 math · Grade 3 math · Grade 2 science · Grade 2 English