Math Strategies

The students are become true 'MATHEMATICIANS' by using a variety of different tools to solve double digit addition and subtraction. Some of these strategies include: Number Line, Bead Strings, Mental Math, Ten Frames, Base Ten Blocks, and Decomposing. According to the Common Core State Standards, students will not start using the 'standard' method of solving 2-digit problems until 4th Grade, so we are trying to acquaint them with all of the other/different ways they can solve these problems. This way, they will truly understand what they are doing when it comes time to 'borrow' or 'regroup' using the standard method.
 
Here is a letter that went home with parents regarding the Common Core Standards and our math curriculum:

2nd Grade Math News!

Attention Parents!

There have been many changes in math this year with the new Common Core Learning Standards. 48 of the 50 states have agreed to adopt these new standards and schools across the country are starting to implement them this year. These standards are researched based and believed to help students become better prepared for college and their future careers. These standards will help students gain the problem solving skills and number sense they will need throughout their lives instead of just learning rote skills and facts.  Students will gain a better knowledge of place value which will help them become more proficient with mental math. 

 

One of the biggest goals with the new Common Core Learning Standards (CCLS) is to help students express their thinking and explain their work.  The strategies that we have been using in class, such as number lines and decomposing, are examples of ways that students can show their work. These strategies are laying the ground work for better understanding of place value, number sense, and problem solving.  Students are able to use these strategies mentally to solve problems more and more as they progress in grade levels. 

 

Students have brought up using the “borrowing” and “carrying” method (which is probably the way that we all learned to subtract and add).  That is not the way that addition and subtraction will be taught in 2^nd grade according the new national CCLS.  Students will learn the standard algorithm (borrowing method) in 4^th grade.  Research shows that 4^th grade is the time that is developmentally appropriate for students to learn the algorithm because they should have very strong background knowledge of place value and base-ten by this time.  They will also understand the process as opposed to learning the “borrowing trick”.  It has been shown through research that students that learn standard algorithms too early will struggle in math because their problem solving skills are not as strong.

 

It is very important that students practice the strategies that are being taught in class at home as well.  That is why I am asking that all homework (besides basic fact practice) will show one of the strategies that we have used in class that are based on the CCLS. 

 

These strategies include:

·        Using a number line

·        Decomposing

·        Ten Frames

·        Base Ten Blocks

·        Drawing a picture/Tallies

·        Bead Strings

·        Counters (Cereal, beans, etc)

·        Mental

·        Writing an explanation of the process

 

The students seem very excited about the “new math” that we are learning! They have a Math ‘Toolbox’ that they use in class that contain the tools they need to use these strategies in class. I would be happy to share any resources with you to help your child at home. If you I hope that we can continue to work together as partners in your child’s education and help them to develop these extremely important math skills that will help them throughout their lives. I will continue to send home information about the strategies we are learning in class and I encourage you to also have your child explain what they are doing. We spend a lot of instruction time explaining our work and ‘mathematical’ thinking and this would be a great way to practice this extremely important skill at home!

 

 

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Here are a few pictures of the students using these different methods of solving addition/subtraction problems:

Ten Frames:

Base Ten Blocks:

 

Number Line:

 

Decomposing:

 

Mental Math: