Here is an easy strategy to model subtraction using a 10 strip (a strip of paper with 10 circles). This concept is a foundational skill that will help kiddos as we dive into more difficult math problems. Oh, and did I mention that this video is starring 3 of our own amazing students?? 🙂
Decomposing to Subtract from a 10 (When Subtracting within 20)
Tonight’s homework is understanding HOW to decompose or break apart numbers in subtraction. Monday we go into more difficult equations, so it is important that we get a good foundation of this concept now. Just a heads up: students are not required to use number bonds on tonight’s homework, but they will be doing this on Monday.
The homework is divided into three sections: solving simple subtraction problems, write the missing addends, and a couple story problems.
The first section asks you to circle the number sentence if you must subtract from the 10. We learned in class that you need to subtract from either the ones or the tens. For example, in the equation 14-3, I need to either subtract from the ones or the tens. If I can subtract 3 from 4 (which I can), then I don’t need to worry about taking any from the ten. But if my equation is 13-6, and I can’t take 6 away from the number in the ones place (3), then I have to take it away from the 10. If I have to take away from the ten, please circle the number sentence. Feel free to use other subtraction strategies such as a number line, touch dots, or mental math to help find the answer- kiddos just need to know if they can subtract the ones without breaking apart a 10.
The second section of the homework asks the students to fill in the blank to make the number sentence correct. Students will need to use addition strategies to solve the first side of the equation, and then try and figure out the number that is missing that will make the equation balance out.
The third section of the homework is story problems. I would like students to use the RDW method to solve these problems. RDW stands for READ, DRAW & LABEL, and WRITE the NUMBER SENTENCE. I don’t just want to see the answer! I want to see how students are solving the problem so I know that they understand why 11-5 = 6.
Please let me know if you have any questions!
Happy Learning!!!
Cracker Science & Math Review
I just wanted to share our learning today in science! We did a few experiments with crackers to see the effect our saliva has on our taste and how it prepares our food for the digestive process. We also learned about PERISTALSIS which basically is the muscles pushing our food down the esophagus even when we are laying down. We laid down and took bites of a cracker and sure enough- the food went down our esophagus! We even talked a little about reverse peristalsis- any one want to guess what that means? 🙂
Today in math we reviewed our learning on addition with number bonds. I went through the homework and the problem sets we worked on during class and wrote some homework sheets for tonight for you to download. There are 3 levels of homework- Level 1 for those kids who are having a really hard time with number bonds, Level 2 is average and the level where I expect most of my kiddos to be at, and Level 3 is more challenging. Choose the level that works best for your child- please don’t try and overwhelm them with the more difficult work if they are struggling to understand. Tomorrow we start our lessons on subtraction with number bonds which looks pretty tricky! I will try and have our power points up so you can watch them with your child.
Let me know if you have any questions or concerns. We are off to a great year!
Number Bonds: Addition
Hello sweet second graders and amazing parents! Thank you for taking the time to read this post about NUMBER BONDS.
I have to make a very strong point- if your child does addition and subtraction without number bonds, but can get the correct answer, that is FABULOUS. There are so many wonderful strategies out there- such as using touch dots, a number line, or the old regrouping method that we learned as kids. However your child WILL be tested on using number bonds to add and subtract. So while this may not be your child’s strategy of choice- it is still one that they are expected to master in second grade.
Before I started teaching again I had heard about how tricky and different the common core math is for not only students but for parents… and I can see why! It is now my mission to make it more understandable for you and your child. I have spent hours pouring over our number bond lessons and even made some power points to help us understand the purpose of number bonds in regards to addition and subtraction. I turned these power points into a video screen cast (audio wasn’t working for some reason though).
The first one is showing how we can “construct”  number sentences (or equations) with number bonds when adding within 20. I have told our class that we love to build groups of 10. That is why having mastery of all the facts that equal 10 is so important (1+9, 2+8, 3+7, etc). Please watch this with your kiddo before doing number bond homework. (You can also watch this fun video on the friends of 10) We will watch it in class, too… as soon as our projector is working! I strongly feel after looking over homework that these number bonds are a challenge for a majority of our class.
The second video is showing number sentences with number bonds when adding within 100. This is more difficult- and a concept we haven’t covered in class YET but we will be within the next week or two.
I will be posting our 2 subtraction presentations soon, so look for those in the near future.
Again- thanks for reading this post!
Happy Trails!
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Our class wraps up each day by singing Happy Trails. Watch us sing one of our favorite songs!
God Bless America
Every month our second grade has learned a different patriotic song as part of our morning routine. We have learned the Star Spangled Banner, God Bless the USA, Yankee Doodle Dandy, America the Beautiful, and more! This month we have learned “God Bless America.”
Listen and watch our super second grade class sing God Bless America!
How to Regroup – a Video Podcast from Room 203
Watch some awesome second graders review with our class the steps of double and triple digit addition and subtraction!
We love Mrs. Alsup!
We have been so fortunate this year to work with a kind and loving teacher; Mrs. Alsup.Ă‚Â She has worked hard to teach our class so many things!Ă‚Â We are so grateful to have her in Room 203! Here are some reasons why we think she is incredible.
Vivaldi Inspires Marvelous Mental Images!
The composer this month is Antonio Vivaldi. He is most famous for his songs titled The Four Seasons. As a fun music and art project, we drew our most vivid mental images while we listened to each of the four seasons. I was so impressed with the fabulous and unique images they came up with!
Pictures of Us Creating
The Final Results!
Rock and Roll! Second Grade Geologists love learning about ROCKS!
Our class has been learning about one of my personal favorite things… ROCKS! Why are they so incredibly amazing, you might be wondering? Besides the fact that they are extremely old, each rock is a little clue about what geological events have taken place. Take, for instance, the beautiful Wasatch mountains. We can tell by studying their layers that sediment that was once horizontal, is now diagonal! Rocks not only tell us about our earth’s history, but they are also fun to collect! I have been collecting rocks for over 12 years!
Let’s share our knowledge about rocks by completing the survey below. Good luck, have fun, and keep on ROCKin’!