
How can this Y2 Maths booklist help inspire children to enjoy books?
This Year 2 Maths booklist can inspire children to enjoy books by presenting mathematical concepts in engaging and creative ways. The selection includes interactive titles like "Lift the Flap: Adding and Subtracting" that encourage hands-on exploration, as well as story-based books such as "Bedtime Maths: This Time It's Personal" that blend math with entertaining narratives. By incorporating fun elements like riddles, stories, and relatable contexts (e.g., "How Far Can A Kangaroo Jump?"), these books make mathematics more accessible and enjoyable for young learners. The diverse range of topics covered, from addition and subtraction to measurements, allows children to discover different aspects of math through literature, potentially sparking their curiosity and fostering a positive attitude towards both reading and mathematics.
What are some creative ways to use the Y2 Maths booklist to teach maths concepts?

This Year 2 Maths booklist offers a diverse and engaging selection of books designed to support young learners in their mathematical journey. The collection covers a range of essential topics, including addition and subtraction, place value, and measurements, all presented in accessible and entertaining formats. From interactive lift-the-flap books to story-based math problems and books that blend math concepts with fascinating facts about animals, this curated list aims to make mathematics both enjoyable and relatable for 6-7 year old children. By incorporating elements of storytelling, real-world applications, and hands-on activities, these books help to foster a positive attitude towards mathematics and encourage children to explore mathematical concepts beyond the classroom.
Creative Ways to Use the Y2 Maths Booklist
- Interactive Read-Alouds: Use books like "Lift the Flap: Adding and Subtracting" to engage students in hands-on learning. Have children predict answers before lifting the flaps, encouraging active participation.
- Math Storytelling: With "Bedtime Maths: This Time It's Personal", create a nightly routine where students solve a fun math problem related to the story. This connects math to everyday life.
- Riddle Challenges: Utilize "Maths Riddles and Stories for Kids" to organize riddle-solving competitions, promoting critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
- Measurement Explorations: After reading "How Far Can A Kangaroo Jump?", set up a jumping station where students measure and compare their jumps to various animals, integrating physical activity with math concepts.
- Shape Hunts: Inspired by books like "The Shape of Things", organize shape scavenger hunts around the classroom or school, encouraging students to identify shapes in their environment.
- Math Art Projects: Use "Math-terpieces: The Art of Problem-Solving" as inspiration for creating math-based art, combining creativity with numerical concepts.
- Role-Playing Activities: With books like "Equal Shmequal", set up scenarios where students act out fair sharing situations, reinforcing concepts of equality and division.
- Time Perception Games: After reading "A Second is a Hiccup", create games that help students understand different time intervals through physical activities.
By integrating these creative approaches, teachers can make math more engaging and relatable for Year 2 students, fostering a love for both reading and mathematics.
What are the key themes covered in the Y2 Maths booklist?

The Year 2 Maths booklist covers several important mathematical concepts appropriate for 6-7 year old children. The key themes include:
- Addition and Subtraction: Books like "Lift the Flap: Adding and Subtracting" and "Bedtime Maths: This Time It's Personal" focus on developing these fundamental arithmetic skills.
- Place Value: Some books, such as "Equal Shmequal", help reinforce understanding of place value for numbers up to 100.
- Measurement: A significant portion of the booklist is dedicated to
measurement concepts, with
titles like:
- "How Far Can A Kangaroo Jump?"
- "How Fast Was A Velociraptor?"
- "How Much Does A Ladybird Weigh?"
- "How To Measure Everything"
- "Me And The Measure Of Things"
- Problem-Solving: Books like "Maths Riddles and Stories for Kids" encourage critical thinking and application of mathematical concepts.
- Real-World Applications: Many of the books present mathematical concepts in relatable, real-world contexts, helping children understand the practical applications of math.
These themes align well with the Year 2 maths curriculum, which emphasizes number skills, measurement, and practical problem-solving[2][5][6]. The booklist provides engaging, literature-based approaches to reinforce these key mathematical concepts for young learners.
How can I assess students' understanding using the Y2 Maths booklist?

The Year 2 Maths booklist provides several opportunities to assess students' understanding of key mathematical concepts. You can use the books as engaging tools for formative assessment in the following ways:
Interactive read-alouds with books like "Lift the Flap: Adding and Subtracting" allow you to gauge students' grasp of addition and subtraction concepts. As you read, pause to ask questions and have students predict answers before revealing them, providing immediate feedback on their understanding.
Story-based books such as "Bedtime Maths: This Time It's Personal" offer real-world problem-solving scenarios. After reading, present similar problems to students and observe their problem-solving strategies, assessing their ability to apply mathematical thinking to everyday situations.
"Maths Riddles and Stories for Kids" can be used to evaluate students' critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Have students work through the riddles individually or in small groups, then discuss their reasoning, allowing you to assess their logical thinking and mathematical communication.
Measurement-focused books like "How Far Can A Kangaroo Jump?" and "How Much Does A Ladybird Weigh?" provide opportunities to assess students' understanding of different units of measurement. After reading, create hands-on activities where students estimate and measure various objects, allowing you to evaluate their grasp of measurement concepts.
By incorporating these books into your teaching and assessment practices, you can create a more engaging and comprehensive approach to evaluating students' mathematical understanding in Year 2.
What are some common challenges when teaching maths using the Y2 Maths booklist?

When teaching maths using the Year 2 Maths booklist, several common challenges may arise:
Balancing conceptual understanding with procedural fluency is a key challenge. While books like "Lift the Flap: Adding and Subtracting" offer hands-on practice, teachers must ensure students grasp the underlying concepts rather than just memorizing procedures.
Addressing misconceptions is another hurdle. Students may develop incorrect mental models or shortcuts that need careful correction. For example, the idea of "taking numbers over to the other side" in equations instead of understanding the fundamental concept of performing the same operation on both sides.
Expanding beyond familiar number ranges can be difficult. While books in the booklist focus on numbers up to 100, teachers need to introduce larger numbers and decimals earlier to build confidence and prevent struggles later on.
Connecting abstract concepts to real-world applications is crucial. Although books like "How Far Can A Kangaroo Jump?" help relate math to real-life scenarios, ensuring students can transfer these concepts to other contexts remains challenging.
Overcoming language barriers in mathematical communication is important. Understanding that phrases like "how many 8s go into 56" mean the same as "56 divided by 8" is not always obvious to students.
Providing sufficient practice without overwhelming students is a delicate balance. While the booklist offers engaging content, teachers need to supplement with enough practice opportunities to reinforce concepts without making it tedious.
Addressing individual learning needs within a diverse classroom can be challenging. Teachers must adapt their approach to meet various learning styles and abilities, even when using a common resource like the Y2 Maths booklist.
Turn those math woes into math whoas!

Welcome to Hands-On Education’s ultimate Year Two Maths Booklist! We know how juggling lesson plans, marking, and keeping the little ones engaged can feel like a high-wire act. So, we've crafted this list to help you find the best resources to make maths not just manageable but fun and interactive for your students. Whether you're a primary school teacher or a home educator, these books will turn those math woes into math whoas!
- "Maths Adventures with Max" by Anna Wilson
This delightful book follows Max, a curious young boy who embarks on daily adventures that just happen to involve maths. From counting creatures in the garden to measuring ingredients for a magical potion, Max helps kids see the everyday magic of numbers. The vibrant illustrations and hands-on activities will keep your class or home learners engaged and eager to explore more. - "The Times Tables Activity Book" by Collins Easy Learning
Times tables are a major milestone in Year Two, and this activity book makes mastering them a breeze. Packed with puzzles, games, and colourful stickers, it turns repetitive learning into a lively game. The friendly layout and bite-sized exercises are perfect for busy educators looking to reinforce multiplication skills without the groans. - "Sir Cumference and the First Round Table" by Cindy Neuschwander
If you're looking to introduce geometry in a fun and memorable way, this is your go-to book. Join Sir Cumference and his friends in a medieval mathematical quest that cleverly weaves in concepts of shapes and measurements. The story format ensures that even the wiggliest learners stay put and soak in the maths, all while thinking they’re on a knightly adventure.
We hope these picks add a splash of excitement to your maths lessons and make the subject a little less daunting for both you and your students. Happy teaching and learning, and remember, at Hands-On Education, we’re here to help you make every lesson an adventure!