Support for Grade 2 Families
If your child is using Bridges Grade 2, you may find the resources below helpful.
What Your Second Grader Will Learn (PDF)
Your child’s teacher may use the Math Skills & Concepts Student Report to communicate with you about how your child is doing in math class. This report is meant to provide an overall picture of your child’s progress at a given point in the year. It does not include every skill or idea your child will study in math class. To get a more complete picture of how your child is doing, you can also read your school’s report card, talk to your child’s teacher, and ask to see examples of your child’s work including class work and tests. Revised standards in some states expect students to master some of the skills we have designated as “beyond second grade.” For example, updated Oregon standards require second graders to add and subtract two-digit numbers using efficient paper-and-pencil strategies.
Overview of Grade 2 Units (PDF)
Each two-page handout below provides a quick overview of what students will learn in a single Bridges unit. They include sample problems with answers, so you may find them useful when helping with homework. If you're not sure what unit your child's class is in right now, ask his or her teacher, or look at the small print at the top of the most recent homework assignment. Unit 1, Unit 2, Unit 3, Unit 4
Math with Your Second Grader (PDF)
This handout offers advice on how to help with homework and make math a fun and useful part of family life.
Parents as Partners
The Oregon Council for Teachers of Mathematics (OCTM) offers a pamphlet to assist parents in their efforts to support and encourage their children in mathematics. You can download the pamphlet in both English and Spanish. (Click on the version you want.)
Math Vocabulary for Grade 2 (PDF)
Click here to refresh your memory of key terms you may need to help with your second grader’s homework. Definitions include examples and pictures. If you want to look up other words, we recommend using A Maths Dictionary for Kids, which includes definitions, examples, animations, and even practice games.
Home Connections for Grade 2
Pages and assignments from Home Connections.
Online Skills Practice for Grade 2
Age-appropriate computer games can help your child practice basic skills. The links below will take you to free online games that may be helpful and fun for your second grader. (You may need to update the browser on your computer or install free plugins like Flash or Shockwave for these games to work.)
Play each game first to make sure it matches your child’s interests and abilities. You might need to help your child get started with each game. If your child has trouble focusing, the graphics may be too distracting. Young children benefit from hands-on experiences and interaction with other people, so when you have time, play board games and talk to your child about the math he or she is doing. There is no substitute for your interest and involvement!
Basic Addition
Speedy Pictures 2 Players race to beat a timer as they add the number of dots shown on 2 dice, the number of fingers shown on two hands, or the number of beads shown in two rows. This one is a winner!
Falling Problems A beat-the-clock game in which the player has to decide whether an addition or subtraction combination will be less than or greater than 10. In a more challenging version, the player decides whether an addition or subtraction combination will be less than or greater than 100. This game is great for developing number sense and estimation skills.
Two Minute Warning The player has 2 minutes to answer as many addition problems as he or she can. At the end of the game, the computer will show how many correct and incorrect answers the player got.
Pyramid Solitaire The player removes cards by finding pairs of numbers that add to 13. You might need to remind your child that J = 11, Q = 12, K = 13, and A = 1. You might also want to talk about strategic ways to make choices when more than one move is possible. Your child might prefer to play with a deck of cards after learning the game on the computer.
Math Lines The player races to pair numbers that add up to 10. Before your child plays, review the pairs of numbers that add up to 10.
Numbers The player selects combinations of numbers that add up to a target number. The goal is to remove as many numbers from the board as possible before running out of numbers that can be added to get the next target number. After your child has played a few times, talk about strategies that might help him or her remove more numbers from the board.
Basic Subtraction
Falling Problems A beat-the-clock game in which the player has to decide whether an addition or subtraction combination will be less than or greater than 10. In a more challenging version, the player decides whether an addition or subtraction combination will be less than or greater than 100. This game is great for developing number sense and estimation skills.
Two Minute Warning The player has 2 minutes to answer as many subtraction problems as he or she can. At the end of the game, the computer will show how many correct and incorrect answers the player got.
Subtraction Blast The player can subtract either 2 or 3 from a number as many times as he or she wants to. The goal is to get each number to 0 as quickly as possible. Talk with your child about how he or she can get different numbers to 0 quickly. (For example, you can get 10 to 0 by subtracting 2 five times, or you can subtract 2 twice and 3 twice.)
Telling Time
Time Clock The player moves the hands of a clock to show different times.
What Time Is It? The player chooses the digital clock that shows the time shown on an analog clock (a clock with an hour and minute hand).
Fractions
Pizza Party The player selects the fraction that shows how much of a pizza is left on the pan.
More Games
The two sites below contain some of the best games for elementary math students. Look through the sites to find other games for your child to play.
Primary Games
Math Games on Fun School
National Library of Virtual Manipulatives
Math Books for Grade 2
Reading books with mathematical themes can help students improve their skills and foster a good attitude toward math. This list will direct you to books that you and your child may enjoy.
Counting & Number Sense
Two Ways to Count to Ten by Ruby Dee
12 Ways to Get to 11 by Eve Merriam (used in Bridges Grade 2)
365 Penguins by Jean-Luc Fromental
Adding & Subtracting
12 Ways to Get to 11 by Eve Merriam (used in Bridges Garde 2)
Multiplying
Two of Everything: A Chinese Folktale by Lily Toy Hong
Amanda Bean's Amazing Dream by Cindy Neuschwander
Anno's Mysterious Multiplying Jar by Mitsumasa Anno
Dividing
One Hundred Hungry Ants by Elinor J Pinczes (used in Bridges Grade 2)
The Doorbell Rang by Pat Hutchins
Time
Telling Time with Big Mama Cat by Dan Harper
Cluck O'Clock by Kes Gray
Money
Jenny Found a Penny by Trudy Harris
Jelly Beans for Sale by Bruce McMillan
Arthur’s Funny Money by Lillian Hoban (used in Bridges Grade 2)
Problem Solving
Anno's Hat Trick by Mitsumasa Anno
The Grapes of Math by Greg Tang
Fractions
Jump, Kangaroo, Jump! by Stuart J. Murphy
Fraction Action by Loreen Leedy
Fraction Fun by David A. Adler
Geometry
Shapes, Shapes, Shapes by Tana Hoban
Cubes, Cones, Cylinders, & Spheres by Tana Hoban
A Cloak for the Dreamer by Aileen Friedman (used in Bridges Grade 2)
Measurement
How Big Is a Foot? by Rolf Myller
Millions to Measure by David M. Schwartz (used in Bridges Grade 5)
Measuring Penny by Loreen Leedy
Counting on Frank by Rod Clement
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