Comparison is one of the most crucial math skills second graders learn, because it can be applied to so many other disciplines across the elementary school curriculum. In this measurement and data lesson, kids will work on object comparison and graphing. The exercises ask kids to list objects in size order, estimate length, note differences in length, and make bar graphs.

This geometry unit engages students in analytical thinking as they learn about the properties of two dimensional figures and consider the different ways they can be sorted based on those properties. Students also learn to plot points, lines and shapes on a coordinate graph.

Understanding data and graphs is a critical skill that we use on a regular basis to read news articles, reports and other media to interpret information. In this unit, students investigate data collection, data organization and visual representation in different kinds of graphics (i.e. line plots, pie charts). Learners also apply concepts of probability and statistics to analyze data.

Representing data on graphs makes math visual and involves some creativity and design. Plotting data using fractional units takes their learning one step further. Also in this unit, students learn to measure using both traditional units (like inches, feet and yards) and metric units, and how to convert measurements within each system. The concept of measurement gets two dimensional when students explore measuring and working with angles.