Here’s a 2nd Grade Math Vocabulary List — the core words kids usually meet in class:
Numbers & Counting
Number
Digit
Zero
One – Hundred
Count
Skip count
Even
Odd
Operations
Add
Addition
Plus (+)
Sum
Subtract
Subtraction
Minus (−)
Difference
Equal (=)
Place Value
Ones
Tens
Hundreds
Place value
Expanded form
Standard form
Comparing
Greater than (>)
Less than (<)
Equal to
Compare
Order
Measurement
Length
Height
Weight
Capacity
Inch
Foot
Meter
Centimeter
Kilogram
Liter
Time
Clock
Hour
Minute
Geometry (Shapes)
Shape
Circle
Square
Rectangle
Triangle
Oval
Side
Corner (Vertex)
Money
Coin
Penny
Nickel
Dime
Quarter
Dollar
Cent
Data & Fractions
Graph
Bar graph
Picture graph
Fraction
Half (1/2)
Whole
1. Addition
3+4=?
6+2=?
10 + 5 = ?
7+8=?
Word Problems
Tom has 3 apples. He gets 2 more. How many apples does he have now?
There are 5 birds on a tree. 4 more come. How many birds are there?
2. Subtraction
9−3=?
12 − 5 = ?
15 − 7 = ?
Word Problems
Anna has 8 candies. She eats 3. How many candies are left?
There are 10 balloons. 2 fly away. How many remain?
3. Comparing Numbers
Which is greater: 6 or 9?
Which is smaller: 12 or 7?
8 __ 5 (>, <, =)
4. Counting
Count from 1 to 20.
Count by 2s: 2, 4, 6, __, __
Count by 5s: 5, 10, __, __
5. Shapes
What shape is this? (circle / square / triangle)
How many sides does a square have?
Find 3 rectangles in the classroom.
6. Time (Very Basic)
What time is it? (show 3:00)
Morning or evening?
7. Simple Money
1 dollar + 1 dollar = ?
You have 5 dollars. You buy a toy for 3 dollars. How much money is left?
For a first lesson, mix numbers + 1–2 word problems + shapes.
Keep sentences short, repeat vocabulary, and use visuals if possible.
Goal isn’t speed — it’s comfort and understanding.
can you give a little challenging question
Sure 👍 here are a few slightly challenging but still 2nd-grade friendly problems in English:
1. Mixed Addition & Subtraction (Word Problem)
Emma has 12 candies. She gives 5 candies to her friend and then buys 3 more.
How many candies does Emma have now?
2. Two-Step Number Problem
There are 8 red balls and 7 blue balls in a box.
How many balls are there in total?
Then 4 balls are taken out.
How many balls are left?
3. Missing Number
15 − ___ = 9
(What number makes this true?)
4. Logic / Comparison
Tom is 2 years older than Sam.
Sam is 7 years old.
How old is Tom?
5. Skip Counting Challenge
2, 4, 6, 8, __, __, 14
(What numbers are missing?)
These make kids think one extra step without being scary — perfect “brain warm-up” level.
ANOTHER LOGIC QUESTION
Here’s another simple logic question for 2nd grade:
Logic Question:
There are 3 boxes.
The red box has 5 toys.
The blue box has 2 more toys than the red box.
The green box has 1 less toy than the blue box.
How many toys are in the green box?