Grade 2 Math: how to help at home
What your child learns in Grade 2 math in the Manitoba Curriculum, and simple things to try at home.
The Big Ideas this year
- Number: Develop number sense.
- Patterns and Relations: Use patterns to describe the world and solve problems.
- Patterns and Relations: Represent algebraic expressions in multiple ways.
- Shape and Space: Use direct or indirect measurement to solve problems.
- Shape and Space: Describe the characteristics of 3-D objects and 2-D shapes, and analyze the relationships among them.
- Statistics and Probability: Collect, display, and analyze data to solve problems.
Easy ways to practise math at home
- Practise math facts in short bursts, such as five minutes while dinner cooks.
- Let your child handle small cash purchases, working out the change in multiples of 5¢.
- Cook together and double or halve a recipe.
- Ask “How do you know?” after an answer, even when it is right.
What each unit covers
Skip Counting
Skip counting by 2s, 5s and 10s forward and backward from 0 to 100, using a hundred chart or number line.
Even, Odd and Ordinals
Deciding whether a number up to 100 is even or odd by making pairs, and using ordinal numbers for position.
Tens & Ones
Seeing 47 as 4 tens and 7 ones. This place-value idea underpins all Grade 2 adding and subtracting.
Bigger or Smaller
Comparing and ordering numbers, using <, > and =, and noticing numbers close to 50.
Facts to 20
Fluent facts to 20 using strategies like making ten and thinking addition to subtract.
Adding to 100
Two-digit adding and subtracting by working with tens and ones, including making a new ten.
Balance It
Finding the unknown number that makes both sides of an equation equal, using symbols for unknowns, and spotting number patterns.
Patterns
Finding the repeating core of a pattern and describing how increasing patterns grow (skip counting).
Days, Weeks and Months
Relating days to a week and months to a year, using a calendar to solve simple problems.
Measuring
Measuring with a ruler from zero and choosing between centimetres and metres.
Shapes
Describing shapes by their sides, corners (vertices) and faces, and spotting 3D shapes in real life.
Graphs
Reading picture graphs: how many, which has the most or fewest, and how many more.
What the report card levels look like at home
- Level 1
- Just getting started with this idea. Short, regular practice with lots of support helps most.
- Level 2
- Understands parts of it and is building confidence. Keep practising the tricky parts.
- Level 3
- Has it! Mixed review now and then keeps it strong.
- Level 4
- Applies it confidently, even in new or harder situations. Try challenge mode and real-life problems.
Your child’s teacher decides the level on the report card. Read the Manitoba report card guide.
Common questions
How can I help my Grade 2 child with math?
Practise math facts in short bursts, such as five minutes while dinner cooks. Let your child handle small cash purchases, working out the change in multiples of 5¢. Keep sessions short, about 10 to 15 minutes, and stop on a success.
What does my child learn in Grade 2 math in Manitoba?
The Manitoba Curriculum Grade 2 math units include skip counting, even, odd and ordinals, tens & ones, bigger or smaller, facts to 20, adding to 100.
Free printable Grade 2 math practice sheet
Questions from every unit, with an answer key.