Matemáticas en 2º Grado / Mathematics in 2nd Grad

In my continuous commitment to connect the Spanish language experience to curricular studies, opportunities are often provided for all students to practice their habilidades matemáticas (mathematics skills). Games and active, hands-on experiences to develop age-appropriate mathematical understandings are regularly integrated in class routines such as counting each other when seated during start of class meeting and “adding” or “subtracting” those that are not present. From our youngest learners in EC to our Lower School líderes (leaders) in 4^th grade, all students are provided with experiences in their Spanish class to help gain increasing competence in the area or numeracy.

In second grade Spanish, the students have been practicing counting by 10’s to 1,000. To help review the learning, we first played “Number Bingo by 10’s to 100” and then “Number Bingo by100’s to 1,000.” Bingo is an incredible fun game that all the students love to play. Because everyone enjoys the thrill of finding the last item on the board, in Spanish class we keep playing until all friends get bingo. So, as to not distract the ones that are still playing, a celebración silenciosa (silent celebration) is encouraged until all can join in.

After the fun-filled games of Bingo, the second graders were invited to solve numerical equations. They solved simple and some complex addition, subtraction and multiplication calculations. First, we reviewed the words for mathematical symbols + (mas), - (menos), x (por) and = (son). Then, números and símbolos were called out in Spanish and the students would write it on their individual dry-erase board. Once the mathematical problem was calculated, the students were encouraged to respond by stating the full equation in español. For example, when asked in Spanish what is 70 + 30, the student would respond by stating setenta mas trenta son cien. Or, when questioned what is 8 x 5, the second grader replied ocho por cinco son cuarenta and 90 – 10 was answered as noventa menos diez son ochenta. The greatest joy was watching students of all levels of understanding and comprehension working together and supporting each other. ¡Que maravilla!