Minnesota Mathematics Standards

Instruction and assessment are built around the math strands listed below. Here is a brief explanation of the math strands and what they mean for our second-graders.

I. Number sense and operations

Number sense is the ability to recognize numbers, identify their relative values and understand how to use them in a variety of ways, such as counting, measuring or estimating. It means knowing, for example, that in the number 476, the 7 does not represent 7, but, rather, 70. It means understanding the relationship between the numbers of a fact family (4+5=9, 9-5=4, 9-4=5). Number sense is demonstrated in many different ways throughout the Everyday Math program.

Operations refers to solving problems using addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Math facts are part of the Operations strand.

II. Algebra

Algebra at the second grade level means solving an equation such as 10 = ____ - 5. (In later years, this problem will look like this:

10 = x – 5). Algebra also includes comparisons using < and > symbols, diagrams used to organize information in word problems (Total-Total-Part, Beginning-Change-End, and Quantity-Quantity-Difference), and applying a rule to a number pattern (frames-and arrows and in-and-out problems.

III. Geometry and Measurement

Geometry refers to two-dimensional (squares, triangles, rectangles, etc.) and three-dimensional (cubes, prisms, cylinders, etc.) figures, as well as lines and angles.

Measurement means determining the length, area, volume, time and other quantities and using the appropriate tools to do so. Units of measure include inches, feet, grams, kilograms, pounds, tons, gallons, liters, dollars.

IV. Data and Probability

Data means dealing with a collection of numbers as a whole and finding mean, median, mode, range, etc., as well as creating and interpreting various kinds of graphs.

Probability refers to the chance that a given event will occur. It is an important area of mathematics study and a subject to which young children are introduced through games of chance, such as coin tosses.

V. Mathematical Reasoning means thinking through math problems logically in order to arrive at solutions. It involves being able to identify what is important and unimportant in solving a problem and to explain or justify a solution. In second grade, it often means identifying which operation to use in order to solve a word problem and being able to put the answer in context by adding the unit (ex. $, books, children, etc.)