How long should a 2nd grader spend on math...

[hands-on-mama]

Or just each grade in general? 

 

We just switched from CLE to SIngapore. I took it down a level to help solidify some concepts and give her some confidence. The lessons in Singapore 1B are much shorter than CLE 200. Obviously, the beginning of 1B is very easy for her. I don't mind speeding through this part. I'm just curious what a good rule of thumb for the amount of time spent on math should be. I will likely break it up into 15-20 minute increments either way to help keep her focused. 

 

Any thoughts?

[kateingr]

This really depends so much the quality of the time that she's spending and whether you're satisfied with her overall progress. But if she's putting 15 to 20 focused, brain-turned-on minutes into math and she's making steady progress, then all is well. 

 

My son spent about 15-20 minutes per day on math in 2nd grade, too. Now in 3rd grade, he has a slightly longer attention span and spends 20-25 minutes on math. I'm happy with where he's at in math, and I want math to be a subject he enjoys and looks forward to, so this feels sufficient for now. (Plus, the quality of his thinking declines so much after 25 minutes that there's not much point to making the lesson last any longer.) My goal is that he'll have the stamina to spend 45-60 minutes on math each day by the end of middle school, so my plan is to let the lesson length grow gradually each year.  

[FO4UR]

For Singapore, 15-20 min in the workbook.  Then add another 15+ minutes to review and practice mental math, preferably through games. Some kids love games, and you can play as long as they are interested.  If you don't have time for games every day, a few minutes to mentally practice calculations will do it.

[hands-on-mama]

Thank you! This is pretty much what we are doing! I am teaching the lesson using the HIG and then she does the corresponding workbook pages. We just got Miquon, so I'm going to let her give that a try. She also plays some math computer games for fact practice. We also do the mental math lists in the back. Just one list a day and it only takes a few minutes to do it orally. Thank you for making me feel better! It just feels like such a step back but I think laying this conceptual foundation is so important. Plus, she's loving this compared to the tears we were having with the amount of work in CLE. It was great for a time but just not what we needed. I would like to keep her on Singapore and eventually pull in Beast alongside.

 

[Coco_Clark]

Mine spends 20 minutes of focused hard learning. And later 5-10 minutes of review/fact memory/puzzles/ect.

[Roadrunner]

We used to spend about 45 minutes, but my DS wasn't fully focused, so that time included small talk, jumping up and down, etc. I would say actual work took no more than 30 minutes.

[abba12]

30 minutes, possibly in two sessions for a child with shorter attention span

[HomeAgain]

Yep, depends on quality of what you're doing.  Drills? 5 minutes.  Explanation? 5 minutes.  Exploration of concepts?  As long as you want.

 

We spend an average of 45 minutes on math with a 5yo.  That includes lots of hands on time and about 5 minutes' worth of writing.

[zarabellesmom]

Around 20 minutes but more if she asks.  Later in the day she spends about 15 minutes on fact practice using Reflex Math.

[....]

My 2nd grader probably spends 15 solid minutes on math.  She uses Miquon.  

[Ellie]

I would not expect a little 7yo person to spend more than 20 minutes--maybe 30 if *he* really loves it--at one time doing *anything.*

[letsplaymath]

My rule of thumb was about 10 minutes per grade level, up to the max of an hour, which sounds like it lines up with the other advice you're getting. Depends on the child and on what you're doing. of course. With current dd, even in high school, she can't handle more than 30-45 minutes before the emotions start to flair. Mental exercise can be hard work!