by Emily Davito

Created on: November 18, 2011   Last Updated: November 21, 2011

2nd Grade Math Games Encourages Independent Thinkers

Second graders no longer require the attention and doting over like they did in Kindergarten. They enjoy spending time alone and being self-reliant and independent. Their brains have grown and developed to a point where they become more reflective, inward thinkers focusing on rules and practical ideas. Brain development continues to build cognitive structures and connections between ideas; it’s the best time for working 2nd grade math computer games. 

Get Snappy

Snap Blocks is the perfect 2nd grade math game for the independent thinker. The game asks students to build and analyze math problems such as 3+2+11=5+1+10. Each problem is on its own row. If the child places an addend such as three and two on the top row, then five belongs below it. Now considered equal and the same length, a golden wand appears to separate this section of rows from the remaining part of the math problem. Next, the child places 11, 1 and 10 on the correct rows; they snap together. The golden wand appears again and the child sees how the two problems are indeed equal. As correct answers continue, problems intensify by adding more addends to each side of the equal sign or using larger addends. This game allows the children to see relationships between numbers and visualize equality while forcing them to use logic when solving the puzzle; users must decide which numbers are equal prior to placing and snapping them together. Logic and analysis is definitely required.

Make a Math Problem Friendly

Too many numbers in math problems is either a challenge for some children or scary. Either way, making a math problem friendly by turning one of the addends into a multiple of 10 makes the problem less intimidating. The game is called Compensation Buckets. For example, the original problem is 38+43; 38 and 43 have their own buckets. The child clicks on the bucket for 43 and subtracts two. The two add to 38 and become 40. A new friendlier problem is created: 40+41. The child is now able to type the answer for the new problem. Once the answer is typed, the game shows the child how the original and friendly problems have the same answers; therefore, a number relationship is established. As the child progresses through the game and continues to answer problems correctly, the two digit addends become three digit addends. This game is another example of how differentiated learning is utilized and customized for each learner.

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