Did You Know we Added Fantastic New Content to 2nd Grade?
Here at Happy Numbers, we are constantly working to improve our app! We want to make sure we offer you the most complete curriculum possible. It makes life for teachers easier and improves student learning.
Recently, our team has been working to add fantastic, engaging new content to our 2nd grade curriculum. These new sections align with Common Core Standards and help students engage more deeply with the curriculum content.
So, what sort of magical learning fun did we add to the second grade curriculum?
We added two major areas: Topic D in Module 2, which involves relating addition and subtraction to length, and Topic D in Module 6, which covers the meaning of even and odd numbers.
Now, let’s take a look at some of the great new content we’ve added:
Module 2, Topic D: Relating Addition and Subtraction to Length
In the Common Core Standards, this topic relates to standards 2.MD.B.5 and 2.MD.B.6 which state:
2.MD.B.5 “Use addition and subtraction within 100 to solve word problems involving lengths that are given in the same units, e.g., by using drawings (such as drawings of rulers) and equations with a symbol for the unknown number to represent the problem.”
2.MD.B.6 “Represent whole numbers as lengths from 0 on a number line diagram with equally spaced points corresponding to the numbers 0, 1, 2, …, and represent whole-number sums and differences within 100 on a number line diagram.”
We approached these standards with fun, interactive learning experiences and activities that help students master the target concepts.
The first task for students in this topic is to represent change in length as addition or subtraction. As you can see in the activity below, students use a roll of ribbon to represent different lengths.
This practice of measuring ribbon and adding two different lengths of ribbon together prepares students for the next step. Then, students practice adding measurements to find the total length of a path. See the example below:
Another skill that students master in this topic is to count to determine the length of an object that isn’t aligned to 0 on a ruler.
Next, students learn that another way to determine the length of an object that isn’t aligned to 0 on a ruler is to subtract.
Then, students begin to solve word problems to find length using addition or subtraction. For example, in the problem below, students must determine the length of the green bar by subtracting the length of the small purple bar from the long purple bar.
Next, students use a tape diagram to solve addition or subtraction word problems involving length. In the below example, students solve an addition word problem using a tape diagram.
In this example, students practice a subtraction word problem using a tape diagram.
Additionally, students learn the important elements of a math problem such as the question, the unknown, and the solution. As you can see, in the example below, students are first given a statement about the size of the dogs. Then, they are asked if this is a math problem. Then, students are given a question, and Happy Numbers explains that the question turns the statement into a math problem.
When working through these word problems, students must also choose the correct operation to use. For example, in the problem below, students must choose to add or subtract.
Finally, students solve more and more complex word problems, including problems with two questions. In this case, the app guides students to solve one question at a time.
Once students have completed this topic, they are comfortable measuring lengths using a ruler. Plus, they can solve addition and subtraction problems involving length.
Module 6 Topic D: The Meaning of Even and Odd Numbers
In the Common Core Standards, this topic relates to standard 2.OA.C.3 which states:
“Determine whether a group of objects (up to 20) has an odd or even number of members, e.g., by pairing objects or counting them by 2s; write an equation to express an even number as a sum of two equal addends.”
To help students master this standard, we came up with some fun, engaging activities and games for them to enjoy.
The first concept we cover is that when you double a number, it equals an even number.
Students learn the name for even numbers right in the app!
Then, students learn a strategy to identify even numbers. This strategy is pairing objects.
Next, we introduce the term for numbers that are not even: odd.
Then, students learn how addition patterns of +1 and +2 relate to even and odd numbers.
Building on these concepts, we introduce the concept that numbers ending in 0, 2, 4, 6, or 8 are even.
Finally, students learn to identify odd numbers as ones ending with 1,3, 5, 7, or 9.
With this understanding in place, students then practice identifying 3-digit numbers as even or odd.
We hope you and your students enjoy this new content!
Remember, stay tuned for new content as we are constantly working to add more to our curriculum.
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