Math and Me Teacher Guide Unit: Launchpad Foundations
Math and Me
Lesson 1: Addition/Subtraction within 20 & Partner Talk Routine
Grade 2 • Week 1 Duration: 45 Mins
Learning Objectives
Fluently add and subtract within 20 using strategies.
Apply basic operations to solve personal mathematical equations.
Demonstrate the Partner Talk routine (turn-and-talk, active listening).
Routine Focus: Partner Talk
Knee-to-Knee, Eye-to-Eye: Turn physical bodies.
Speaker & Listener: One talks, one nods/tracks.
Sentence Starters: "I agree because..." / "My idea is..."
Teacher Prep: Print copies of the Math and Me Worksheet. Prepare a chart paper with the "Partner Talk Rules" (Knee-to-Knee, Eye-to-Eye, Voice level 1). Keep linking cubes or counters nearby for students needing concrete support.
Lesson Flow & Procedures
1
Warm-Up: Math is Everywhere! 10 Minutes
Gather students on the rug. Ask: "Who has math on their shirt? Who has math in their house?" Share a quick number about yourself (e.g., "I have 1 dog and 3 siblings, which makes 4!").
Diagnostic Check: Listen to student responses. Note if they are counting on fingers or recalling facts within 10 instantly.
2
Direct Instruction & Routine Intro: Partner Talk 12 Minutes
Introduce the concept of Partner Talk . Explicitly model the physical actions with a student helper:
Body Position: Knee-to-knee and eye-to-eye.
Voice Level: Whisper (Level 1) so only your partner hears you.
Active Tracking: Keep eyes on the speaker and show you are listening.
Have the entire class practice turning to a neighbor. Give them a prompt to share: "What is your age + 1?" Ring a chime to call attention back. Reinforce immediately: "I loved how Jordan and Chloe immediately turned knee-to-knee!"
Second Grade Launchpad • Math Lesson Plan Page 1 of 2
Math and Me Procedures (Cont.)
Lesson 1: Activity Execution, Cleanup & Assessment
Grade 2 • Week 1
3
Guided & Independent Activity: Math & Me Sheet 15 Minutes
Distribute the Math and Me Worksheet . Model the first section on the board:
• "My Age box: If I am 7, what is a math equation that equals 7? I can write 5 + 2 = 7 or 10 - 3 = 7."
• "My Family: If I have 4 people in my home, what subtraction equation equals 4? I can write 10 - 6 = 4."
Students work at their desks independently. Set a timer for 10 minutes. Circulate to observe:
Are students able to generate equations or only solve pre-made ones?
Are they utilizing fingers, mental math, or drawing models?
4
Routine Check & Cleanup 5 Minutes
Teach the "Materials Return" signal. When the chime rings, students must:
Cap pencils and highlighters instantly.
Stack folders/worksheets in the center of their table group.
Raise hands in a "silent signal" to show readiness.
Practice this twice to ensure quick and quiet transitions. Celebrate success immediately!
5
Reflection & Exit Ticket 3 Minutes
Have students do a final 30-second Partner Talk about their favorite fact. Ask: "How did your partner do with turning knee-to-knee?" Gather worksheets to assess mathematical levels and personal information.
Teacher Observation & Diagnostic Guide
Math Diagnostics to Observe:
Addition: Counting on vs. direct retrieval
Subtraction: Struggling with inverse concepts
Double-digit comfort: Reading/writing 10-20
Social/Routine Diagnostics:
Following multi-step directions
Active tracking during Partner Talk
Pacing and completion within time constraints
Second Grade Launchpad • Math Lesson Plan Page 2 of 2
Math and Me Worksheet ✏️ Math and Me!
Let's share facts about ourselves using math!
Name:
Date:
⭐ Welcome to 2nd Grade! Fill in the blanks about yourself. Then, write addition (+) or subtraction (-) equations that equal your special numbers.
🎂 My Age
I am years old.
Write an ADDITION (+) math story:
_____ + _____ = My Age
Write a SUBTRACTION (-) math story:
_____ - _____ = My Age
🏠 My Family
There are people in my home.
Write an ADDITION (+) math story:
_____ + _____ = Family
Write a SUBTRACTION (-) math story:
_____ - _____ = Family
🌟 My Favorite Number!
Pick a number between 10 and 20:
Write an ADDITION (+) equation:
_____ + _____ = My Number
Write a SUBTRACTION (-) equation:
_____ - _____ = My Number
🎯 Quick Math Practice!
6 + 4 = _____
8 + 5 = _____
12 + 6 = _____
10 - 3 = _____
14 - 6 = _____
18 - 9 = _____
🗣️
Partner Talk Routine Check!
Check off the steps you did with your table partner today:
Knee-to-Knee Eye-to-Eye Whisper Voice
Story of Me Teacher Guide Unit: Launchpad Foundations
Story of Me
Lesson 2: Decoding, Vowels, High-Frequency Words & Line Up Routine
Grade 2 • Week 1 Duration: 45 Mins
Learning Objectives
Identify and apply short/long vowel sounds in CVC & CVCe words.
Read and write common first-grade high-frequency words.
Demonstrate the Line Up routine (calm, silent transition).
Routine Focus: Line Up
Silent Slide: Push chairs in silently.
Keep Your Space: Body to self, 1 bubble space apart.
Forward Focus: Face forward, quiet voice, arms at side.
Teacher Prep: Print the Story of Me Worksheet. Have high-frequency word cards (e.g., *like, see, they, with, have*) and a small chime or clicker. Draw a blank "Line Up Path" on the rug with painter's tape if needed.
Lesson Flow & Procedures
1
Reading Warm-Up: High-Frequency Choral Read 10 Minutes
Gather students on the carpet. Use high-frequency word cards to review 1st-grade words. Model a choral reading protocol: "I point, we pause, we read together!" Note any hesitation, spelling confusion, or struggle with standard sight words.
2
Routine Introduction: The Golden Line Up 12 Minutes
Teach the Line Up Routine . Explain that a line-up transition is a silent parade of focus. Introduce the step-by-step rules:
Push in Chairs: Pull back and slide in without scraping noises.
Body Bubble: Leave space. No touching the walls or classmates.
Eyes on the Prize: Face the door, hands at sides, smile and lock it in.
Second Grade Launchpad • Reading Lesson Plan Page 1 of 2
Story of Me Procedures (Cont.)
Lesson 2: Activity Execution, Practice & Assessment
Grade 2 • Week 1
3
Guided & Independent Activity: Mini-Autobiography 15 Minutes
Distribute the Story of Me Worksheet . Instruct students to work on their phonics/decoding diagnostics and fill out their reading/writing details:
• Short/Long Vowels: Check their ability to differentiate between short vowels (cat, pin, rug ) and long vowels (cake, pine, huge ).
• The Paragraph: Check if they write in full sentences. Are they using uppercase letters for names/beginnings of sentences?
Story of Me Worksheet 📖 The Story of Me
Let's practice reading and write a short story about you!
Name:
Date:
⭐ Welcome to Reading! Complete the word sort first. Then, write a tiny story about yourself.
🧩 Part 1: Word Sort!
Read the words in the word bank. Sort them into the short or long vowel boxes:
cap cape fin fine hop hope
Short Vowels (CVC)
Long Vowels (CVCe)
✏️ Part 2: Finish the Sentences
1. My favorite thing to do at school is .
2. In second grade, I really to read new books. (like / have )
3. I want to learn and grow my classmates! (with / they )
📝 Part 3: All About Me Story!
Write 2 or 3 sentences about yourself! What is your favorite hobby, or something special about you?
🚶
Line Up Routine Practice!
Check off what you did during our quiet transitions today:
Pushed Chair In Kept My Space Faced Forward
Team Awesome Teacher Guide Unit: Launchpad Foundations
Team Awesome
Lesson 3: Growth Mindset, STEM Paper Tower Challenge & Materials Cleanup
Grade 2 • Week 1 Duration: 45 Mins
Learning Objectives
Collaborate with a small group to plan, fold, and build a paper tower.
Demonstrate resilience by using growth mindset vocabulary during struggle.
Execute the Materials Cleanup routine efficiently.
Mindset Focus: Resilience
The Power of "Yet": "This tower isn't standing... yet! "
Failures = Fuel: Seeing falling structures as learning data.
Encouragement: Boosting team spirits with kind words.
Challenge Materials: For each team of 4, prepare: 5 sheets of standard printer paper (can be scrap/recycled) and a 12-inch strip of masking tape. Print the Team Awesome Worksheet.
Lesson Flow & Procedures
1
Mindset Introduction: What is Resilience? 10 Minutes
Gather students on the carpet. Read a short scenario about someone whose paper design folded or collapsed. Ask: "What do you do when something is super hard?" Introduce the word Resilience and teach the "Power of Yet" hand motion (putting a hand out, then drawing it in proudly).
2
The Paper Tower Challenge: Planning Phase 10 Minutes
Assign students to groups of 4. Explain the rules of the Paper Tower Challenge :
Build the tallest tower using ONLY your 5 sheets of paper and strip of tape.
Use "Voice Level 2" (cooperative talking, not shouting).
If it falls, you must say: "We've got this! Try again!"
Give teams 3 minutes to plan and draw their ideas on the worksheet BEFORE receiving building materials.
Second Grade Launchpad • Group Activity Lesson Plan Page 1 of 2
Team Awesome Procedures (Cont.)
Lesson 3: Execution, Mindset Reinforcement & Cleanup
Grade 2 • Week 1
3
The Building Phase: Active Resilience 15 Minutes
Hand out paper sheets and tape strips to each group. Start the 10-minute timer. As students fold, roll, and build, actively look and listen for signs of frustration or collaboration.
Supportive Intervention Prompts:
• If a paper column folds: "How can we roll or fold it differently to make it stronger?"
Team Awesome Worksheet 🤝 Team Awesome!
Let's build a strong tower and practice a growth mindset!
Name:
Date:
⭐ Teamwork is key! Talk with your group and draw your design first. Remember, if your tower falls, say: "We can do this! Let's try again!"
Our Team Name:
Our Team Members:
📐 Part 1: Our Tower Blueprint!
Draw how you will fold and tape your papers to build a super tall tower:
Draw Your Design Here!
🌱 Part 2: Growth Mindset Power
Q1. If our paper tower fell down or bent, our team decided to:
Q2. One way I was a helpful and encouraging teammate was:
♻️
Materials Cleanup Checklist!
Check off how your team did with tidying up today:
Recycled Paper Desk is Clean Hands are Folded