10 Tips for Teaching Math to Second Graders
By the time you begin teaching math to your second grader, you’ve undoubtedly figured out a few things about both your teaching style and your child’s learning style. You’ve learned what approaches work and which ones fall flat. You likely know what subject(s) your homeschooler prefers (and which one they would put off indefinitely if they could).
In our homeschooling household, math wasn’t a fan favorite for a while.
Reading? 100 percent! Art class? Let’s do it! Science? Hand me that microscope! But math? Page after tedious page of add-and-carry, borrow-and-subtract? Thanks, but no thanks. Clearly, I needed a better approach at teaching math so my kids would engage in the subject and actually learn (as opposed to cry at the sight of another page of sums).
In all honesty, teaching math to your kids can be either the easiest subject or the most challenging one. And the way you approach math in these early years—as you teach kindergarten math, first grade, and now with your second grader—can make all the difference.
By the time they reach second grade, children are building on foundational skills they have hopefully learned in kindergarten and first grade, as well as learning plenty of new skills and developing confidence in their problem-solving abilities.
As a homeschool mom, you have the flexibility to tailor lessons to your child’s learning style and make math engaging, fun, and meaningful. Whether your child is a natural with numbers or needs a little extra support, here are some tips for teaching math to your second-grader.
10 Tips for Teaching Math to Your Second Grader
Before jumping into these specific ways you can help your young homeschooler learn math, I want to mention a terrific math curriculum, CTCMath. I struggled for years to find a math curriculum that worked for my family. Moving from curriculum to curriculum made it even harder because there were gaps.
I was introduced to CTCMath through being a part of Hip Homeschool Moms and it was a lifesaver for us. The lessons being super short and hyper focused meant my children didn’t feel overwhelmed. And the fact that the math curriculum adjusts to meet my kids where they are was literally the icing on the cake!
Do yourself and your children a favor by checking out this math curriculum. CTCMath might be the game changer that your homeschool needs too!
1. Make Math Hands-On
Just as with younger students, second graders often learn best when they can see and touch what they’re learning. Use manipulatives like counting cubes, base-ten blocks, and play money to reinforce concepts like addition, subtraction, place value, and money recognition.
Everyday objects you already have on hand—beans, buttons, or Legos—work just as well for hands-on learning!
2. Incorporate Real-Life Math
Help your child see how math applies to everyday life. Let them count change at the store, measure ingredients while cooking, or tell time on an analog clock. Real-world connections make math more meaningful and less abstract.
3. Use Games to Reinforce Skills
Math games are a great way to make learning enjoyable. Board games like Monopoly Jr., card games like War (modified for math) and other card games that reinforce logic, and online math games help reinforce skills while keeping kids engaged. Even simple dice or dominoes can be used for addition and subtraction practice.
4. Introduce Word Problems Early
Word problems can be tricky for young learners but practicing them early will help your kids build problem-solving skills. Read word problems out loud, act them out with toys, and have your child draw pictures to visualize the problem. You might also adjust the word problems slightly, using objects or characters that your kids are interested in.
For example, you could take a simple word problem like this one:
Emma has 8 red apples and 5 green apples. She gives 3 apples to her friend. How many apples does Emma have left?
Then, let’s say your child enjoys reading or watching Winnie the Pooh. You might adjust the word problem to this:
Pooh Bear has 8 thick sticks and 5 thin sticks. He gives 3 sticks to Piglet so they can play a game of Pooh Sticks together. How many sticks does Pooh Bear have left?
5. Focus on Mental Math
Encouraging your child to solve problems in their head builds number fluency. Practice things like:
- Skip counting (2, 4, 6, 8, 10),
- Number bonds (10 = 10 + 0, 9 + 1, 8 + 2, 7 + 3, 6 + 4, 5 + 5)
- Simple addition and subtraction strategies
I mentioned in a previous post that I went a little overboard with math flashcards when my kids were little, but they really do help your kids to learn. In fact, I’ve recently begun tutoring a student, and guess what I’m having him practice on a daily basis? Yep, math flashcards.
Timed challenges and oral quizzes also make great practice tools when teaching math.
6. Keep Lessons Short and Engaging
Young children have short attention spans, so keep lessons concise—about 15-20 minutes per concept. Break up longer sessions with interactive activities, hands-on practice, or even a movement break. CTCMath is a great option here, as each tutorial is followed by interactive questions and a printable worksheet. While these are optional, they definitely augment your child’s learning.
7. Personalize the Learning Experience
Every child learns differently. Some kids thrive with visuals, while others need movement-based learning or auditory instruction. Adjust your approach based on your child’s strengths and challenges to make math more effective. Do things like taking math lessons outdoors with fun games from time to time.
Cater to your child’s learning styles. Observe whether your child learns best through visual aids, auditory instructions, or hands-on activities, and tailor your methods of teaching math accordingly.
8. Be Patient and Encouraging
Math can sometimes feel frustrating, especially when new concepts are introduced. Offer encouragement, celebrate progress, and remind your child that mistakes are part of learning. A positive attitude toward math helps build confidence! The CTCMath curriculum has been used by over 200,000 students, who are more confident in math because it’s a system that works!
9. Use a Strong Math Curriculum
A structured curriculum helps guide you in teaching math and ensures your child is covering all essential skills. CTCMath is an excellent online program that provides engaging, self-paced video lessons, interactive questions, and instant feedback.
It’s a great option for homeschool families who want a flexible, effective math curriculum that will help you approach the subject of math in a new and more attainable way. They have a free trial and a 365-day money-back guarantee. Seriously, there’s every reason to try it out.
10. Review and Reinforce Regularly
Regular review with your kids keeps them from forgetting the foundational concepts they’re learning and helps to strengthen their understanding. I’m not exaggerating here. I remember, as a child, getting a long summer break between second and third grade, and having to relearn how to borrow and subtract. I knew I had learned it already, and felt frustrated that I couldn’t remember how to do it … because I hadn’t practice it for several months.
So, set aside time for regular practice when teaching math, spiral back to previous topics you’ve already taught your kids, and use various review activities like flashcards or timed challenges to keep your kids’ skills sharp.
Teaching Math: Celebrate Achievements, Big and Small
Teaching second-grade math at home doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With the right tools, strategies, and a little creativity, you can help your child develop strong math skills while making learning enjoyable.
CTCMath is a valuable resource that can support your homeschooling journey, providing clear, engaging lessons that help children build confidence in learning math (and give you confidence in teaching math). Make sure that you also take time to recognize and celebrate your child’s progress, which would work alongside a curriculum like CTCMath to help build their confidence and motivation.
