NCERT Joyful Mathematics, Class 2, textbook pages 50–70
How to teach Class 2 Maths Chapter 6, Decoration for Festival, at home
Adding and subtracting 2-digit numbers, taught with things you already have at home: a 10-minute activity, a game for the week, a 5-day plan and the mistakes to watch for.
NCERT Class 2 Maths Chapter 6 Decoration for Festival: what it teaches
The biggest chapter of the year. Your child adds and subtracts two-digit numbers by thinking in tens and ones, first with bundles and a bead string, then on a number line, then in columns. When the ones make more than 10, ten ones become a new ten.
Why it matters later. Two-digit addition and subtraction with regrouping is the base for all written sums in Classes 3 to 5. A child who understands “ten ones make a ten” will handle carrying and borrowing without confusion.
See it: this chapter in pictures
You need
- ice-cream sticks and rubber bands
- a 0–100 number line on paper
- coins or beans
- paper and pencil
Tonight’s 10 minutes
- Make 23 and 14 with bundles. Put the tens together, then the ones: 3 tens and 7 ones is 37.
- Try 28 + 15: the ones make 13, so bundle ten of them into a new ten. 4 tens and 3 ones is 43.
- On the number line, add in two jumps: 34 + 25 is jump 20 to 54, then 5 to 59.
- Subtract by taking away: make 46, take away 23 (2 bundles and 3 sticks). What is left?
Words to use
- tens and ones
- add the ones
- add the tens
- make a new ten
- take away
- difference
- jump on
Watch for
- Adding the digits in a jumble, like 28 + 15 = 313. Build it with bundles. Ones go with ones, tens with tens, and 13 ones become 1 ten and 3 ones.
- In subtraction, taking the smaller digit from the bigger one whatever its place (42 − 17 = 35). Build 42 and try to take away 7 sticks. There are only 2, so open a bundle first.
What it sounds like at home
A short example of the conversation. Your words will differ; the questions are what matter.
You28 + 15. Add the ones first.
Your child8 and 5 is 13.
You13 ones is how many tens and ones?
Your child1 ten and 3 ones.
YouNow the tens: 2 and 1 and the new 1?
Your child4 tens. So 43.
A game for this week: Target 100
- Each player rolls two dice and makes a two-digit number (for 3 and 5: 35 or 53).
- Add it to your score.
- The first to reach 100 exactly or closest without going over wins.
- Harder version: start at 100 and subtract.
A 5-day plan, 10 minutes a day
- Day 1Add tens and ones with bundles (no regrouping).
- Day 2Add with regrouping: make a new ten.
- Day 3Add on the number line in two jumps.
- Day 4Subtract with bundles, opening a ten when needed.
- Day 5Target 100 game.
Everyday moments to practise
- Adding the prices of two things at a shop.
- Counting guests from two families.
- Pages read today and yesterday.
- Runs scored in two overs of cricket.
Quick check
Ask these at the end of the week. Tap to see the answer.
What is 34 + 25?
59.
What is 28 + 15?
43.
What is 46 − 23?
23.
Ready for the next chapter when your child…
- Adds two-digit numbers and explains the new ten.
- Subtracts two-digit numbers by opening a ten.
- Checks a subtraction by adding back.
Activities, wording and illustrations are Mathify Kids’ own, following the topics of NCERT’s Joyful Mathematics (Class 2). See the full Class 2 parent guide for every chapter.
Questions parents ask
What is regrouping in Class 2 addition?
When the ones add to 10 or more, ten ones are grouped into one ten. In 28 + 15, 8 + 5 = 13, so 1 ten goes to the tens place.
How do I teach subtraction with borrowing?
Use bundles. For 42 − 17, there are only 2 loose sticks, so open one bundle to make 12 ones, then take 7 away.
Should my child use a number line or columns?
Both. The number line builds understanding; columns come after your child can explain each step.