How to Teach Word Problems 2nd Grade Teaching word problems in 2nd grade can feel like a completely different subject from teaching computation. Your students can add. They can subtract. They can even regroup. But the second you wrap those skills inside a paragraph with names and actions and extra information? Everything falls apart. So…
Teaching subtraction can be surprisingly challenging, especially once regrouping enters the picture. Here’s the truth: 2 digit subtraction strategies can feel deceptively tricky. Students can breeze through the simple problems and feel confident, but the second you introduce regrouping, everything changes. Suddenly place value disappears, subtraction feels confusing, and some kids start treating the worksheet…
If you have ever taught addition and thought, “They get it during the lesson… then forget it the second I stop holding their hand,” you are not alone. That is exactly why I swear by place value strategy addition instead of jumping straight into the standard algorithm. Because when students actually understand how numbers work,…
After Christmas Break Activities for Elementary Students Let’s be honest – coming back after winter break can feel like you need another break.It’s basically Back to School Part 2 — just colder, darker, and with kids who forgot every routine you taught them in August. Let’s talk about which after winter break activities set you…
How to Teach Money to 2nd Graders Let’s be honest — teaching money can feel like one of those lessons that should be simple… but never quite is. If you’ve ever found yourself wondering how to teach counting coins in a way that actually sticks, you’re not alone. The truth is, understanding money takes time,…
You’ve modeled, you’ve practiced, you’ve even broken out the base ten blocks — but somehow, 23 + 48 still sends your kids into full “guess-and-check” mode. That’s where teaching adding strategies (the right way) changes everything. When students learn multiple addition strategies — like base ten blocks, open number lines, and break-apart they’re not just…
If you’ve ever tried teaching 2-digit addition and subtraction only to be met with blank stares, you know the struggle is real. That’s where jumping on a number line comes in. It’s a simple, visual way to help students “see” addition and subtraction rather than just memorizing steps. And the best part? Once they learn…
Teaching Patriot Day: A Meaningful and Kid-Appropriate Approach to September 11th If I’m being honest, teaching about September 11th has always been difficult for me. I lived through it, and I still remember waking up that morning, watching as the TV in my house was on nonstop, showing the towers falling live. It was emotional,…
What to Do in the First Week of School (That is Fun & Easy!) The first week of school in 1st or 2nd grade is such a magical time – but let’s be honest, it’s also exhausting. You’re meeting new students, teaching expectations, organizing supplies, and putting out a hundred fires before lunch. That’s why…
Back to School Science for 1st & 2nd Grade The first week of school is full of routines, read-alouds, and getting-to-know-you games. But when it comes to planning your back to school science block, you might find yourself staring at your planner wondering, What exactly do I teach right now? You’re not alone. Science often…