Math Mammoth Grade 2 Complete Curriculum***

Math Mammoth Grade 2 complete curriculum consists of two student worktexts (A and B), a separate answer key for each, chapter tests and an end-of-year test, cumulative reviews, and an easy worksheet maker (Internet access required) to make extra practice worksheets when needed.

The two books for grade 2 focus on

• memorizing the basic addition and subtraction facts with single-digit numbers
• developing fluency with multidigit addition and subtraction
• place value with 3-digit numbers.

Also included is introduction to multiplication concept, measuring and geometry topics, clock reading and money. Please see the table of contents for 2-A and 2-B for complete lesson lists.

Some main features of the Lightblue Series books are:

• focuses on understanding of mathematical concepts
• uses clear explanations, lots of visual exercises and pattern exercises
• mastery oriented: concentrates fairly long on a topic, with fairly few topics per grade
• emphasizes mental math and developing number sense
• very little teacher preparation needed

Introduction

The main topics during second grade, as in first grade, are the study of addition and subtraction and place value till 1000.

In second grade, children learn to add and subtract two and three-digit numbers mentally and in columns (under each other). They learn to carry to tens and to hundreds (also called regrouping), and how to borrow either from the tens or from the hundreds. The topics of borrowing two times and borrowing over zero tens are in this curriculum left for the third grade.

Mental math is very important, as it builds number sense and solidifies the understanding of place value. Children learn by heart the common addition and subtraction facts, and understand how to use them when adding two-digit numbers. They practice many kinds of mental math with three-digit numbers as well (in the B book).

Other topics studied are reading the clock to the five-minute intervals; measuring length, weight, and volume; shapes and a few simple geometry concepts; and money topics. These topics are important as well, since they are everyday applications of mathematics.

General questions and answers concerning the LightBlue books

1. Is there a teacher's manual?

In the beginning of each chapter there are notes for the teacher (Introduction), but this curriculum does not contain a separate teacher's manual nor scripted lessons. I've tried to create a text that is as self-explanatory as possible, so that a separate manual wouldn't be needed. This saves time for the teacher. Also, many elementary students will be able to just read and learn through the lessons on their own (once they can read).

2. What is a worktext?

Worktext means that the books contain the explanations and the problems. Simply put, the textbook and problems are in the same book. This is especially useful for homeschooling and for any kind of independent study.

3. Will the regular Blue Series be sufficient or is the Lightblue series required to be used first?

You don't need to use the Lightblue series first if you acquire the Blue Series books. These two series have a lot in common — a lot of the same material.

The Blue Series is not totally sufficient though. It lacks a few topics for grades 1-3, such as: Roman numerals, and early geometry (shapes). Also it does not contain tests and is not organized per grade level but per topic.

4. Are tests included?

Yes. There is a chapter test after each chapter and an end of year test to be used after each grade level.

5. Are earlier concepts reviewed in later levels?

To some extent, but not nearly so much as in typically spiral curricula. For example, I often introduce somewhat difficult topics in two grades. A few topics are "introductory" in one grade and "in focus" in the next. For example:

• Adding so that the result "goes over 10" is included in the last half of 1st grade and first half of 2nd; for example 6 + 8.
• Borrowing over zeros is included both in 2nd and 3rd.
• Multi-digit multiplication (the algorithm) is touched in 3rd grade but studied in length in the first part of 4th grade.
• Multiplication concept is introduced in the very end of 2nd but studied in depth in 3rd.
• Concept of a decimal is introduced briefly in the end of 3rd, and then studied quite a bit more on 4th. It will also be studied in more depth in 5th.
• Fractions are introduced a tiny bit in 2nd grade, gradually studied a little bit more in 3rd and 4th. 5th grade will be the "focus" for them, where we'll study all the fraction operations.

Some elementary mathematics topics are covered over several years in a spiraling style, such as place value (with increasing digits), measuring units, some geometry vocabulary (pentagon, octagon, parallel), clock reading, coins, and money problems.

These topics are NOT reviewed in any great depth, but mastery is expected: single digit addition/ subtraction after 1st grade, double-digit addition/subtraction after 2nd, clock reading or coins after 3rd. Multiplication tables and basic division receive a quick review in 4th grade but not after that. I cannot list every single concept and its progression in this short space though.

Bonus: Soft-Pak math programs With a purchase of any Math Mammoth product at CurrClick, you can also receive Soft-Pak math software package for a small shipping & handling fee only! These programs include a worksheet maker, an on-screen math problems activity, an on-screen program for solving the 900 multi-level word problems, and a true/false math challenger. Find out more about Soft-Pak and see screenshots. To take advantage of this offer, check the order confirmation email you get from Currclick after your purhcase. Simply click the link that talks about a "special message" from me.