2nd Grade Math Journals

• representing and solving problems involving addition and subtraction,
• adding and subtracting within 20,
• working with equal groups of objects to gain foundations for multiplication,
• understanding place value,
• using place value understanding and properties of operations to add and subtract,
• measuring and estimating lengths in standard units,
• relating addition and subtraction to length,
• working with time and money,
• representing and interpreting data, and
• reasoning with shapes and their attributes.

All journal tasks in this .pdf file are based on a problem solving approach and provide valuable opportunities for students to organize, clarify and reflect on their thinking while developing key mathematical skills and understandings.

Resources required for some tasks such as numeral cards, a tangram template and geoboard recording paper are included in the file. Other tasks require the use of concrete materials commonly found in 2nd grade classrooms such as pattern blocks, connecting cubes and Base 10 blocks.

The 60 math journal tasks are formatted so that you can either print and cut out the labels or, alternatively, print the tasks on adhesive labels Avery Standard 5160 Address Labels to save time cutting and pasting. Just print two pages for each student (30 tasks per sheet) and pass out for students to stick at the top of their math journal page. You may choose to use one task per week to supplement your mandated curriculum or use several tasks per week depending on the amount of time you are able to allocate to hands-on, problem solving activities. Either way you will be providing your students with valuable opportunities to organize, clarify and reflect on their thinking while developing important mathematical skills and understandings aligned with the Common Core State Standards.

Please note that as many of the math journal tasks are open-ended and have more than one possible solution no answer key is provided. Below are examples of different ways in which 2nd grade students recorded their thinking when working on some of the tasks included in this file. Further examples can be found in our Math Journal Gallery.

Task 15: Take a scoop of counters. Group the counters in pairs.
How many counters do you have? Is this an even or an odd number?

Task 18: Tom put 12 counters into equal piles. How many counters
were in each pile? Show as many different solutions as you can.


Interested in using '2nd Grade Math Journals' in your class?

The price to access this resource is only $7.00!

Download your copy of 2nd Grade Math Journals now!