Unit Plan 1 (Grade 2 Math): Building Our Math Community & Problem-Solving Norms

Focus: Launch discourse routines, math journals, self-checking, and error analysis with rich number puzzles; preview tens/ones language and measurement tools.

Grade Level: 2

Subject Area: Mathematics (Community Launch • Number Sense • Measurement Readiness)

Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 35–45 minutes per session

I. Introduction

This launch week builds a safe, talk-rich math space. Students learn how we share ideas, use tools, and check our work while solving playful number/riddle tasks. We preview place-value language (tens, ones) and explore measurement tools (rulers, meter sticks) to set norms for precision.

Essential Questions

• How do we explain our thinking so others can understand it?
• What does it look like to check our work and fix errors kindly?
• When should we use tens/ones language or a measurement tool to make sense of a problem?

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:

1. Work with a partner/team to solve number puzzles, describe strategies, and listen/restate a partner’s idea.
2. Use tens/ones language to describe quantities (e.g., “3 tens and 7 ones”).
3. Select and handle measurement tools (ruler, meter stick) appropriately; align at the start point and read the endpoint.
4. Practice self-checking (estimate → solve → reasonableness check) and name at least one common error to avoid.
5. Use sentence stems to participate in math talk and give kind, useful feedback.

Standards Alignment — CCSS Grade 2 (spiral across the unit)

• 2.NBT.1 (language intro): Understand that the three digits of a three-digit number represent amounts of hundreds, tens, and ones; recognize bundles of ten. (This week previews tens/ones language.)
• 2.MD.1 (tool use intro): Measure lengths by selecting and using appropriate tools (rulers, yardsticks, meter sticks, measuring tapes). (This week focuses on tool names, alignment, and reading to the endpoint.)
• Mathematical Practices (MP.1–MP.8) threaded throughout (perseverance, reasoning, argument, modeling, tools, precision, structure, regularity).

Success Criteria — Student Language

• I can explain my strategy and listen to others.
• I can describe a number using tens and ones.
• I can pick the right measurement tool, line it up at the zero/start, and read the endpoint.
• I can check my work and fix mistakes kindly.