Grade 2 Math: how to help at home
What your child learns in Grade 2 math in the Nova Scotia 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.
- Measurement: Use direct and indirect measurement to solve problems.
- Geometry: Describe the characteristics of 3-D objects and 2-D shapes, and analyse the relationships among them.
- Statistics and Probability: Collect, display and analyse data to solve problems, and use probability to represent and solve problems involving uncertainty.
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.
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.
Even, Odd and Ordinals
Deciding whether a number up to 100 is even or odd by making pairs, and using ordinal numbers for position.
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.
Patterns
Finding the repeating core of a pattern and describing how increasing patterns grow (skip counting).
Balance It
Finding the unknown number that makes both sides of an equation equal, using symbols for unknowns, and spotting number patterns.
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
- Needs development
- Just getting started with this idea. Short, regular practice with lots of support helps most.
- Developing as expected
- Understands parts of it and is building confidence. Keep practising the tricky parts.
- Well developed
- Has it! Mixed review now and then keeps it strong.
- Well developed and extending
- 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 Nova Scotia 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 Nova Scotia?
The Nova Scotia Curriculum Grade 2 math units include skip counting, tens & ones, bigger or smaller, even, odd and ordinals, facts to 20, adding to 100.
Free printable Grade 2 math practice sheet
Questions from every unit, with an answer key.