Grade 2 Math Skills Checklist | What Your 2nd Grader Should Know

Place Value

Understand hundreds, tens, and ones

Know that three-digit numbers are made of hundreds, tens, and ones.

Examples: 345 = 3 hundreds + 4 tens + 5 ones, 200 = 2 hundreds

Read and write to 1000

Read and write numbers in standard, word, and expanded form.

Examples: 567 = five hundred sixty-seven, 482 = 400 + 80 + 2

Compare three-digit numbers

Use >, <, = to compare numbers based on place value.

Examples: 345 > 298 (compare hundreds first), 456 < 465

Skip count by 5s, 10s, and 100s

Count fluently using skip counting patterns.

Examples: 5, 10, 15, 20..., 100, 200, 300..., 325, 335, 345...

Addition & Subtraction

Fluently add within 20

Know all addition facts within 20 from memory.

Examples: 8 + 7 = 15 (instantly), 9 + 6 = 15, 7 + 8 = 15

Fluently subtract within 20

Know all subtraction facts within 20 from memory.

Examples: 15 - 8 = 7, 13 - 5 = 8, 17 - 9 = 8

Add within 100

Add two-digit numbers with and without regrouping.

Examples: 34 + 25 = 59, 47 + 36 = 83 (regroup ones)

Subtract within 100

Subtract two-digit numbers with and without regrouping.

Examples: 65 - 23 = 42, 72 - 38 = 34 (regroup from tens)

Add up to four two-digit numbers

Add multiple numbers using strategies.

Examples: 25 + 12 + 15 + 8 = 60, Look for pairs that make 10

Telling Time

Tell time to 5 minutes

Read analog clocks to the nearest 5 minutes.

Examples: 3:25 - count by 5s: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25

Use a.m. and p.m.

Distinguish between morning and afternoon times.

Examples: School starts at 8:30 a.m., Dinner is at 6:00 p.m.

Relate time to daily activities

Connect clock times to real-world events.

Examples: Bedtime is at 8:00 p.m., Recess is at 10:15 a.m.

Money

Identify coins and their values

Know penny (1¢), nickel (5¢), dime (10¢), quarter (25¢).

Examples: A dime is worth 10 cents, A quarter is worth 25 cents

Count mixed coins

Find the total value of a group of coins.

Examples: 2 quarters + 1 dime + 3 pennies = 63¢

Use $ and ¢ symbols

Write money amounts correctly.

Examples: $1.25, 47¢, $3.00

Measurement

Measure length in inches and centimeters

Use rulers to measure objects.

Examples: The pencil is 7 inches long, Start at 0 on the ruler

Estimate lengths

Make reasonable guesses about object lengths.

Examples: A door is about 7 feet tall, A crayon is about 3 inches

Compare lengths and find differences

Determine how much longer one object is than another.

Examples: The red ribbon is 12 inches. The blue is 8 inches. Difference: 4 inches.

Geometry

Recognize and draw shapes

Identify shapes by their attributes (sides, angles).

Examples: A triangle has 3 sides, A rectangle has 4 sides and 4 right angles

Partition shapes into equal parts

Divide shapes into halves, thirds, and fourths.

Examples: Cut a rectangle into 4 equal parts, Each part is a fourth

Where grade 2 students often struggle

Regrouping (borrowing) in subtraction - knowing when to borrow
Reading clock times past 30 (saying 7:45 instead of 8:15)
Counting mixed coins - forgetting to start with largest value
Confusing hundreds and tens when writing numbers
Adding columns without aligning place values

Signs your child is on track

Recalls addition and subtraction facts within 20 automatically
Regroups confidently in addition and subtraction
Reads analog clocks quickly to 5-minute intervals
Counts mixed coins accurately by starting with the largest
Uses place value language correctly (hundreds, tens, ones)

Coming in grade 3

Mastering these grade 2 skills prepares your child for:

Multiplication and division facts

Fractions (halves, thirds, fourths)

Area and perimeter

Telling time to the minute

Multi-digit addition and subtraction

Rounding numbers

Not sure where your child stands?

Our diagnostic identifies exactly which skills need work and creates a personalized practice plan.

Start free diagnostic