Everyday Math ~ Program built on a “spiral” which means skills are introduced, practiced and revisited many times throughout the year. This year was an ‘adoption’ year and PHM purchased the latest version of Everyday Math which has an amazing online platform with lots of great material for parents!

Introduction to Second Grade Everyday Mathematics

Welcome to Second Grade Everyday Mathematics, which is part of an elementary school mathematics curriculum developed by the University of Chicago School Mathematics Project (UCSMP). Here we describe several features of the program to familiarize you with the structure of Everyday Mathematics and the expectations we have for children.

A Problem-Solving Approach Based on Everyday Situations By connecting what children learn to their experiences both in and out of school, Everyday Mathematics presents basic math skills and concepts in meaningful contexts so that the mathematics becomes “real.”

Frequent Practice of Basic Skills In Everyday Mathematics, children practice basic skills in a number of different ways—but not through tedious drilling. Second graders complete daily review exercises covering a host of topics. They learn to find patterns on the number line and the number grid, explore addition and subtraction fact families in a variety of formats, work with Quick Looks and ten frames, and play games specifically designed to help them develop basic skills.

An Instructional Approach That Revisits Concepts Regularly The best way for children to develop their mathematical understanding is to regularly revisit skills and concepts they encountered earlier. Rather than presenting mathematics as isolated bits of content, the Everyday Mathematics curriculum is designed to build on children’s learning throughout the year. Research shows that repeated exposure to math concepts and skills over time develops children’s abilities to recall knowledge from long-term memory.

A Curriculum That Explores Mathematical Content and Practices The rich problem-solving environment provided by Everyday Mathematics helps children develop critical-thinking skills. They learn to solve new kinds of problems, explain their thinking to others, and make sense of other children’s thinking.

Second Grade Everyday Mathematics emphasizes the following content:

Numbers and Operations in Base 10 Understanding place value through counting, making coin exchanges, reading and writing numbers, and comparing numbers; using place-value understanding to add and subtract whole numbers.

Operations and Algebraic Thinking Solving addition and subtraction problems; developing fluency with addition and subtraction facts; exploring fact families (related addition and subtraction facts, such as 2 + 5 = 7, 5 + 2 = 7, 7 - 5 = 2, and 7 - 2 = 5); gaining foundations for multiplication and division.

Measurement and Data Estimating lengths and using tools to measure length; telling time to the nearest 5 minutes; solving problems involving money; collecting, organizing, and representing data with tables and graphs.

Geometry Recognizing and drawing 2-dimensional shapes and identifying select 3-dimensional shapes.

Everyday Mathematics provides you with many opportunities to share in your child’s mathematical experience and monitor the progress your child makes. Throughout the year you will receive Family Letters like this one to keep you informed of the mathematical content your child is studying in each unit. Each letter includes a vocabulary list, suggested Do-Anytime Activities for you and your child, and an answer guide to selected Home Link (homework) activities. You will enjoy seeing your child’s confidence and comprehension soar as he or she connects mathematics to everyday life.

We look forward to an exciting year!