Second graders continue to count whole numbers but focus on groups (skip counting) rather than ones. Work in second grade focuses on solving different types of addition and subtraction problems, developing efficient problem-solving strategies. They learn ways to record work. Strategies include adding tens and ones and breaking apart numbers to add or subtract in parts. In grade two, students work extensively with models that represent the place value of numbers in our base-ten number system. This learning becomes the basis for addition and subtraction of two-digit numbers. Second graders work to learn and recall addition facts with a special emphasis on those through ten plus ten.

Second graders categorize data and learn to represent data on line plots using sticky notes. They measure using standard units and continue to learn about money and time. In geometry, second grade children work with properties of shapes, especially rectangles. Work with shapes in geometry leads to the beginning of fraction concepts.

Changes for the 2009-2010 School Year
Some of the units listed below are supplemented with materials from the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) and Bridges in Mathematics to meet curricular gaps caused by changes in the State of Washington math standards. New curricula that strongly match the new standards are being piloted this year and are expected to be adopted and implemented in the fall of 2010.

Computational fluency in second grade
The computing skills that second graders will learn and be able to do easily by the end of the year: Second Grade Computation Strategies