2nd Grade
Math Challenges
Our Math Challenges unit is a fantastic collection of engaging activities for our second grade GRO students. Essentially, problem solving at its best!
Topics visited throughout this unit may include string art, calculator problem solving, pentominoes, tessellations and tangrams! We will also play an array of different math games that can help enhance memory, speed up mental math skills and assist students in understanding basic game theory concepts.
These activities, along with the unit project of creating their own math challenge, will help GRO students become effective thinkers and communicators in the field of mathematics.
Math Challenges Additional Resources:
Books:
Hopkins, Lee B. (1999). Marvelous Math. New York: Scholastic.
Husted, Terri. (2003). Math Detective A1. Seaside, CA: The Critical Thinking Co.
Julius, Edward H. (1995). Arithmetricks: 50 Easy ways to add, subtract, multiply and divide. New York: John Wiley and Sons, Inc.
Kajander, Ann. (1960). Big ideas for small mathematicians. Chicago: Zephyr Press.
Myller. Rolf. (1991). How Big Is a Foot? New York: Yearling.
Neuschwander, Cindy and Geehan, Wayne. (1997). Sir Cumference and the First Round Table. Watertown, MA: Charlesbridge.
Silbert, Jack. 1995). Math mysteries. New York: Scholastic.
Websites:
mathplayground.com/ Various Math games
www.shodor.org/interactivate/activities/%20RacingGameWithTwoDie/ Racing Game with Two Number Cubes
www.mathcats.com/crafts/stringart.html#top. String Art
www.mathsisfun.com/games/broken-calculator.html Math calculator
illuminations.nctm.org/ActivityDetail.aspx?ID=202 Tessellations Creator
https://www.map.mathshell.org/download.php?fileid=1662 Horse Race Activity
Explorations
In this unit of study, 2nd grade GRO students will be embarking on a geographic exploration. They will be studying a specific destination, researching problems that area has encountered, analyzing solutions to those problems and creating an awareness campaign to bring this area the needed attention it deserves. Throughout the unit, we will utilize problem solving and creative thinking as we explore mapping skills, examine necessary items to bring on the expedition, and researching, analyzing & evaluating some of the environmental concerns of their chosen locale.
Coral Reef
Arctic Tundra
Amazon Rainforest
Explorations Additional Resources:
Texts
There’s a Map on My Lap: All About Maps by Tish Rabe
Me on the Map by Joan Sweeny
Follow That Map!: A First Book of Mapping Skills by Scot Ritchie
The Secret Explorers Series by SJ King
The Age of Exploration: Totally Getting Lost (Epic Fails #4) by Ben Thompson & Erik Slader
Into the Deep: An Exploration of Our Oceans by Wolfgang Dreyer and Annika Siems
Expandable Explorations: Wild World by Silver Dolphin Books
Into the Unknown: How Great Explorers Found Their Way by Land, Sea, and Air by Stewart Ross
Explorers Who Got Lost by Diane Sansevere-Dreher
Not-For-Parents- How to be a World Explorer by Joel Levy
Be a Explorer (Go Wild) by Chris Oxlade
Online Resources
Bronx Zoo: Wildlife Conservation Society https://bronxzoo.com/learn/educators/digital-resources
For more information about the district's GRO curriculum please click on the above link.