This week in Year 2, we’ve been busy mathematicians! 

We have been learning how to add two 2-digit numbers using base 10 equipment (tens and ones). The children have worked carefully to make sure their additions do not cross the tens yet — that means the total of the ones stays below ten.

We used base 10 blocks to help us see how numbers are made up of tens and ones. For example:

34 + 25 = 59

We showed 3 tens and 4 ones plus 2 tens and 5 ones, and then combined them to make 5 tens and 9 ones.

The children have been brilliant at lining up their numbers, counting carefully, and explaining their thinking using phrases like:

“I added the ones first, then the tens.”
“I know 4 + 5 = 9, so I don’t need to make another ten.”

Later this week, we’ll be taking our next exciting step — learning how to cross the tens boundary (for example, 38 + 24). This will help us understand what happens when our ones make a new ten! 

We’re so proud of how confident and enthusiastic the children have been with their adding. Keep practising number facts at home to help make these skills even stronger!