Strong math starts with small steps that stick. In kindergarten through grade 2, the right habits make numbers feel friendly, not scary. Counting with care. Seeing groups at a glance. Knowing small addition and subtraction facts without pause. These are the quiet skills that power later problem solving, word problems, and even algebra. At Debsie, we keep these skills simple, playful, and clear. Your child learns by doing, tries again with confidence, and celebrates progress every week. You will see faster recall, fewer math tears, and more curious questions at home.
1. By end of K: count to 100 by ones with 95% accuracy.
Why this benchmark matters
Counting by ones to 100 is the first big mountain in kindergarten. It teaches steady pacing, careful tracking, and number order. When a child can reach 100 with very few mistakes, they learn to hold a long sequence in mind, reset when stuck, and keep attention on the task.
This builds focus and patience, which help in reading, writing, and all later math. The 95 percent mark is important because it allows for small slips while still showing strong mastery. At Debsie, we see that once children can count this far, they feel proud and more willing to try new problems.
The voice becomes steady. The eyes track the numbers with care. The brain learns to stay with a task even when it takes time.
How to build it step by step
Begin with short daily sprints. Count up to 20, then 30, then 50, then 75, and finally 100. Keep the tone calm and warm. Use a number chart as a visual path. Ask your child to point to each number as they say it. If they skip a number, pause and let them spot the gap, then try again from a few numbers before the mistake.
Move between soft voice, whisper voice, and normal voice to keep focus fresh. Mix in movement. Walk ten slow steps while counting to ten. Tap fingers for each count. Toss a small ball back and forth and say the next number each time it lands in their hands.
Add meaning by connecting to real objects. Line up toy cars or blocks and count one by one. End each session with a short challenge such as starting at 36 and going to 52. Celebrate effort, not just the goal.
If you want a caring coach to guide these routines and track accuracy for you, book a free trial class at Debsie today and see the difference consistent practice makes.
What to watch for and how to fix it
If your child rushes and loses place, slow the pace and add finger tracking on a chart. If they stall around the tricky teens, practice 11 to 19 in isolation using sing-song patterns like fourteen, fifteen, sixteen to build rhythm. If fatigue sets in, break the 100 count into chunks across the day.
Morning to 40, afternoon to 80, evening to 100. Keep the energy light. A steady daily habit beats one long push. Confidence grows when success is frequent and visible. With gentle coaching and the right pace, 100 becomes a friendly finish line.
2. Mid-K: count to 20 by ones with 100% one-to-one correspondence.
Why this benchmark matters
One-to-one means one number word for one object. This is the heart of real counting. Reaching twenty with perfect one-to-one shows that a child can slow down, touch or look at each item, and match a single count to a single object without skipping or double-counting.
This level of care leads to solid addition and subtraction later because the child trusts their counts. It also builds self-control. The child learns to pause, check, and continue. At Debsie, we lean on this skill before we push range.
Counting large ranges without accuracy can create shaky habits. Twenty well is better than one hundred fast and messy.
How to build it step by step
Use sets you can touch. Place twenty small items on a table. Guide your child to slide each item from a left group to a right group as they say the next number. Each slide locks in a match. If the child loses track, return the last item and repeat the last number.
Use different layouts. A line, a circle, a random scatter. The goal is to keep the match even when items look different. Add a pointer tool like a chopstick or pencil. It slows the eye and makes each touch clear. Bring in story prompts. Say we are feeding twenty seeds to a small bird.
Each seed gets counted once, and the bird is happy. You can also time a quick daily round, not for speed, but for smooth flow. Aim for no errors first, then later a relaxed pace. When your child is ready, hide two or three items under a cup and ask them to count the rest, then lift the cup and finish the count.
This teaches them to hold the count in memory as they keep going. To make practice easier for busy families, our Debsie teachers set up simple home kits and weekly check-ins. Try a free class and let us build your child’s one-to-one power with fun, short routines.
What to watch for and how to fix it
If your child touches an item twice, ask them to say touch and count. Touch the item, then say the number. If they skip items, ask them to make a soft dot with a pencil after counting each one. If they rush the teens, run a small warm-up where you count 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 slowly while moving five counters from left to right. The slow, deliberate match builds accuracy that lasts.
3. End of K: count by tens to 100 with 100% accuracy.
Why this benchmark matters
Counting by tens is an early place value skill. It shows that your child sees tens as groups. When they can say ten, twenty, thirty up to one hundred without error, they are preparing for base-ten thinking, bundles of ten, and later addition with regrouping.
The rhythm of tens feels like a song. This song helps children notice patterns on a number chart. All tens end in a zero. The tens names change in a steady way. Mastery here builds confidence with money, time, and measurement, where tens and groups show up often.
At Debsie, we use this pattern as a bridge to teen numbers and to ten frames, so children feel structure, not just a long list of words.
How to build it step by step
Start with bundles. Make ten-sticks using straws and rubber bands or craft sticks and tape. Build ten by lining up single sticks and then wrapping them into one tight bundle. Count ten, twenty, thirty as you stack bundles. Lay a row of ten frames filled with counters and say the tens aloud, tapping each full frame.
March while skip-counting. Step on each count of ten and whisper the numbers in between to feel the space. Use a large hundred chart. Highlight the tens column ending in zero. Run a finger down that column while counting.
Then ask your child to start at ten and point to each tens number as they say it. Turn this into a call-and-response. You say ten, they say twenty, you say thirty, they say forty, and continue. When they are smooth, switch roles so they lead and you follow.
Tie it to real life. Bundle ten crayons with a rubber band, then count the bundles. Stack coins in towers of ten if you have them and name the tens. In Debsie classes, we add quick games like Tens Train where each car holds ten counters, and the child adds cars while skip-counting. Join a free trial and see how structured play turns into deep understanding.
What to watch for and how to fix it
If your child says thirty after forty or mixes the order, go back to concrete bundles and rebuild the pattern with hands-on work. If they say a tens name with the wrong ending, slow down and stretch the word. Thir-ty, for-ty, fif-ty.
If the sequence breaks at seventy or eighty, practice those two in isolation until the sound feels natural, then place them back into the full run. Keep sessions short and upbeat. Accuracy first, then pace. Small, daily wins add up to strong place value sense.
4. K: subitize 0–5 dots in under 3 seconds with ≥90% accuracy.
Why this benchmark matters
Subitizing means seeing how many without counting one by one. For small sets up to five, fast recognition builds mental pictures of number. These images help with quick addition and subtraction because the child can see three as a triangle on a die or four as a square pattern.
When a child can name these amounts quickly and correctly most of the time, they reduce cognitive load. The brain is free to think about the action in a story problem rather than the count itself. At Debsie, we treat subitizing like sight words for numbers. It turns slow counting into fast, confident knowing.
How to build it step by step
Use flash cards with dot patterns in many layouts. Show a card for two seconds, hide it, and ask how many. If the child hesitates, show again for one second and let them check. Use dice, dominoes, and ten frames to vary the look.
Keep the number range between zero and five until speed and accuracy are stable. Ask your child to explain what they saw. They might say I saw a line of three or I saw two and two. That talk builds structure awareness. Play a quick reveal game at snack time.
Place grapes under a small cup. Lift the cup for a moment, cover again, and ask how many. If your child guesses, reveal again and encourage them to name the pattern they notice. Turn subitizing into movement. Clap two times quickly when you see two dots.
Jump three times when you see three. This links number to physical rhythm. In Debsie sessions, we set up short, joyful drills that stay under two minutes but happen often. This steady, gentle cadence grows accuracy without pressure. Try a trial class and we will share a printable set of dot cards you can use at home for daily bursts.
What to watch for and how to fix it
If your child starts to count, lower the range to zero through three and speed up the flash. If they often miss four and five, show those amounts in two-part patterns such as three and one or two and two to anchor the image.
If accuracy drops when the dots are scrambled, return to familiar die patterns and then slowly shift to new layouts. Celebrate quick explanations like I saw a square for four because they show deep visual understanding that will support fact fluency later.
5. K: identify numerals 0–20 with 100% accuracy across two trials.
Why this benchmark matters
Number symbols are like name tags for amounts. When a child can read every numeral from zero to twenty without a single miss, they can follow directions, read tasks, and check answers on their own. This skill brings calm to math time because the child stops guessing and starts knowing.
Two clean trials show that recognition is stable, not luck. Strong symbol sense also helps with place value later, since tens and ones are built from these early numerals. At Debsie, we see a big jump in confidence once children stop mixing up 6 and 9 or 12 and 21. The world of math becomes clearer, like turning on a light.
How to build it step by step
Keep practice short and active. Write numerals on cards and hold quick read-and-tap rounds. Show a card for two seconds. If your child says the number right away, cheer and move on. If they pause, let them trace the shape in the air and try again.
Use many fonts and sizes so the child learns the idea, not just one look. Place cards around the room and call a number for your child to find and tap. Mix in write-and-say practice on a whiteboard. Say the name, write the symbol big, then small, then medium.
Play a fast sorting game with tricky pairs like 6 and 9, 12 and 21, 15 and 51. If your child likes stories, give each number a tiny tale. The 2 slides like a swan.
The 5 sits with a hat. These images anchor memory. In Debsie classes, we bring joyful drills, songs, and quick games that keep attention high and stress low. Book a free trial and we will set up a simple home routine and a progress tracker so you can see gains each week.
What to watch for and how to fix it
If reversals pop up, slow down and add finger tracing on sand, rice, or a textured card. If 11–19 cause trouble, practice them in order first, then shuffle. If 12 and 21 keep swapping, highlight the left-to-right read by sliding a finger under the digits as you say twelve or twenty-one.
End each session with two full runs where your child reads all cards with zero errors. The steady wins will build trust and speed.
6. K: write numerals 0–20 legibly with ≥90% accuracy.
Why this benchmark matters
Writing numbers solidifies shape memory and fine motor control. When a child can form numerals clearly most of the time, they can record work, show thinking, and check answers without asking what this digit says. Legibility reduces friction and lets the brain focus on math ideas.
It also builds pride. A neat, readable 14 or 20 feels like a badge of honor in early math. At Debsie, we cheer for clear strokes and simple habits like starting at the top and closing loops. These tiny moves prevent confusion later when multi-digit numbers arrive.
How to build it step by step
Teach correct stroke paths, not just final shapes. For each numeral, model where to start, which way to turn, and where to lift. Say the path aloud. For 5, start at the top, go across, down, then curve. Use big-to-small practice.
Write huge numbers with a finger on a window or chalk on a driveway. Then move to marker on paper, then pencil in a small box. Provide guides. Lightly draw boxes or use grid paper so each digit has a home. Add tactile writing. Trace in salt trays, sand, or shaving cream.
This wakes up the senses and locks in the motion. Keep sessions short, about five minutes, and target the two trickiest numerals each day. Celebrate clean lines, proper size, and correct orientation. In Debsie lessons, teachers offer instant feedback and quick micro-corrections so habits form right the first time.
Join a free trial and get a printable stroke guide for 0–20 with simple chants you can use at home.
What to watch for and how to fix it
If digits float above the line, draw a bold baseline and ask your child to make each number sit. If 3, 5, and 8 look wobbly, slow the strokes and use dot-to-dot guides that fade over the week.
If a child reverses 2, 3, 5, or 7, post a small model card on the desk and have them check before moving on. Aim for nine accurate forms out of ten. Accuracy first, then speed. Clear writing is a gift that keeps giving across all subjects.
7. K: match quantities to numerals 0–20 with 100% consistency.
Why this benchmark matters
Matching means a child can look at a group of objects and pick the correct numeral every time. This links symbol to amount, which is the core of number sense. When this link is firm, children stop guessing and start reasoning.
They can read a problem, set out the right number of counters, and check their own work. It also reduces anxiety. The child trusts that the symbol has meaning, not just a shape. At Debsie, we see behavior improve too, because success creates calm and attention holds longer.
How to build it step by step
Use quick, playful rounds. Place numeral cards 0–20 in a row. Show a set of counters, cubes, or dots, and ask your child to place the set under the matching numeral. Start with 0–10, then grow to 20. Switch roles and let your child show a set while you choose the numeral, then let them judge you.
This makes errors safe and fun. Vary the look of sets. Use a line, a circle, a random scatter, a ten frame with extras. Ask your child to explain how they knew the match. They might say I saw a full ten frame and three more, so it is 13. That talk builds structure thinking.
Bring in quick card games. Flip a ten-frame card and a numeral card. If they match, keep the pair. If not, put them back and try again. In Debsie classes, we layer these games with gentle time goals to build focus without pressure.
Try a free class and we will share a home kit with printable ten-frame decks and numeral strips.
What to watch for and how to fix it
If your child mislabels 11–19, return to make-ten models. Show a full ten and the extras so the teen meaning is clear. If your child counts every set even when it is small, pause and ask what pattern they see.
Encourage subitizing for 0–5 and partial subitizing for bigger sets. If fatigue shows, reduce the range and rotate materials. The aim is perfect consistency across two short rounds, which signals real mastery.
8. K: compare two numbers 0–10 using >, <, = correctly in 8/10 trials.
Why this benchmark matters
Comparison builds the habit of thinking about size, not just names. When a child can say which number is greater, which is less, or when they are equal, they start to reason about distance and order. This prepares the mind for number lines, place value, and later fractions. It also supports clear talk.
Words like more, less, and same become part of daily math language. Hitting eight correct out of ten shows reliable thinking with room to grow. At Debsie, we teach the symbols as friendly arrows and balance marks so they feel natural, not scary.
How to build it step by step
Begin with concrete models. Place two sets of counters and ask which has more. Then slide in numeral cards under the sets and name the relationship. Introduce the symbols with simple stories. The hungry alligator mouth opens to the bigger number.
The equal sign is a balanced seesaw. Move quickly from sets to symbols alone. Show 7 and 5 and ask your child to place >, <, or = between them. Ask for a quick reason. They might say seven is two more than five. Use a number line. Point to both numbers and notice which sits farther to the right.
Teach a tiny routine: think, compare, place, check. Think about each number, compare with a model or line, place the symbol, check by saying the sentence aloud. In Debsie lessons, we add rapid card flips and short verbal drills that grow speed while keeping accuracy first.
Book a free trial and see how our coaches build firm habits in minutes a day.
What to watch for and how to fix it
If your child flips the inequality, stop and read the sentence aloud after placing the symbol. Seven is less than five sounds wrong and helps them self-correct. If equal signs are used to mean next instead of same, do balance games.
Place three counters on one side and two plus one on the other. Show that both sides match. If your child relies only on counting, encourage quick visual checks with ten frames or the number line to build intuition.
Aim for eight or more correct in a ten-question round, then stretch to nine and ten as confidence rises.
9. K: add/subtract within 5 fluently in ≤5 seconds per fact at ≥90% accuracy.
Why this benchmark matters
Fluency within five is the foundation for all later facts. When a child can answer tiny sums and differences fast and correctly most of the time, they stop spending brainpower on counting and start thinking about the story in a problem.
Speed here is not about rushing; it is about ease. Five seconds per fact gives enough time for recall without panic. The ninety percent bar means the skill is reliable across many tries, not just a lucky streak. This fluency also grows attention and self-control.
Children learn to hold a question, breathe, and produce a calm answer. At Debsie, we see that once these small facts feel easy, kids smile more during math and take on harder tasks with courage.
They also talk about numbers with more insight, saying things like I knew three plus two because I saw a full five in my head.
How to build it step by step
Begin with visual anchors. Use a five-frame and show how amounts fill it. Ask quick questions like what is two plus three while pointing to a full frame. Move from images to mental pictures by flashing the frame for a second and then hiding it before asking the fact.
Teach tiny strategies. If the sum is near five, complete to five first. For subtraction, show the whole five, then cover part and ask what is missing. Turn practice into short, daily sprints of two minutes. Mix spoken, written, and movement rounds.
Call a fact and have your child tap the answer on fingers and say it. Write a fact on a board and let them erase the correct answer. Keep facts in mixed order so memory is flexible. Praise clear, quick thinking more than speed.
In Debsie classes, we track which facts are sticky and use micro-games to target them with joyful repetition. Book a free trial and get a custom fluency plan and printable five-frame cards for home use.
What to watch for and how to fix it
If your child counts up each time, narrow the set to two or three facts and drill for smooth recall, then add new ones. If subtraction feels harder, pair each subtraction with its partner addition and say the family aloud.
If time pressure causes stress, remove the timer and focus on accuracy first, then reintroduce a soft countdown later. Celebrate small wins like answering three tricky facts in a row without counting. Those moments build the promise of future ease.
10. K: compose/decompose 11–19 as 10 + n correctly in 9/10 attempts.
Why this benchmark matters
Teen numbers can feel strange because their names do not always match their structure. Seeing each teen as ten and some more unlocks place value. When a child can say thirteen is ten and three almost every time, they grasp that the first digit shows tens and the second shows ones.
This builds a bridge to adding and subtracting with tens later. It also boosts problem solving with money and measurement, where tens bundles appear often. The nine out of ten standard shows strong, steady understanding with room to keep growing.
At Debsie, we teach teens as friendly tens-and-ones stories so they feel simple and clear.
How to build it step by step
Start with physical tens. Make a ten-stick using straws or craft sticks and leave singles nearby. For each teen, place the ten-stick, add the right number of ones, and say the sentence aloud. Fourteen is ten and four. Use ten frames as a second model.
Show a full frame and the extras on a new frame. Move to cards that show 10 + n in symbols and ask your child to build the matching teen with counters. Then flip roles and let them show a teen with blocks while you say the 10 + n sentence, and they judge you.
Write the numeral and circle the digits. Point to the one on the left and say this shows ten. Point to the right and say this shows ones. Repeat with many teens until the pattern feels solid.
In Debsie lessons, we add quick challenge rounds where a teen card flashes for a second, and the child says the 10 + n sentence before the card vanishes. Join a free trial to get our printable teen deck and coaching on how to run two-minute daily drills that stick.
What to watch for and how to fix it
If your child says eleven is one and ten, slow down and rebuild with concrete models. Place a full ten first, then add ones, always saying ten and some more. If twelve and twenty get mixed, underline the teen by showing a single ten-stick only.
If fatigue hits, rotate materials and keep the range small until success is steady. Aim for nine correct out of ten in a short session. Consistency shows true place value sense.
11. Start of G1: count forward from any number 0–120 with ≥95% accuracy.
Why this benchmark matters
Counting forward from any number shows flexible number order. It means a child can jump in at 37 or 84 and keep going smoothly, which is vital for mental math, number lines, and reading multi-digit numbers. The ninety-five percent mark tells you the child can do this in almost every attempt, not only when starting at one.
This skill trains working memory and attention, because the child must hold the current number, add one, and keep the rhythm. It also reduces fear in class when a teacher asks to begin counting from a random point.
At Debsie, we treat this as a core fluency that supports later addition by breaking big tasks into steady steps forward.
How to build it step by step
Use a hundred-twenty chart as a safety net at first. Point to a starting number, say it aloud, and have your child continue while tracking with a finger. Fade the chart by covering parts with paper, leaving only a small window to peek.
Practice small hops. Start at 46 and go to 55, then pause. Later extend to longer runs. Mix in movement. Walk across tiles or steps, one per count, starting from the chosen number. Use quick call-and-response games.
You say fifty-eight, your child says fifty-nine, you say sixty, your child says sixty-one, and so on. Introduce tricky transitions like 29 to 30 and 99 to 100 with extra attention.
Ask your child to say the handoff slowly the first time, then at normal pace. Add time-boxed rounds of thirty seconds where the goal is smoothness, not speed. In Debsie sessions, we personalize starting points to stretch comfort zones without stress and record accuracy so growth is visible.
Try a free trial and we will share a simple home routine and a progress chart that keeps kids motivated.
What to watch for and how to fix it
If your child stalls at decade changes, isolate those bridges. Practice twenty-eight, twenty-nine, thirty several times with voice and finger tracking. If reversals appear, slow down and ask them to whisper the next number before saying it out loud.
If attention slips, keep runs short and vary the start points to keep the brain alert. Aim for almost perfect accuracy across many starts. That steadiness unlocks strong mental math later.
12. G1: count backward from 50 by ones with ≥90% accuracy.
Why this benchmark matters
Counting backward trains the brain to think in reverse, which is essential for subtraction, elapsed time, and number line work. When a child can start at any number up to fifty and step down with few mistakes, they show strong control of order and place value.
This skill builds attention and self-talk. The child learns to pause, hold the current number, and move to the next lower number without losing track. Backward counting also reduces fear when a problem asks how many more until zero.
It turns subtraction into a smooth walk back rather than a guess. At Debsie, we see a clear rise in problem-solving stamina when students master steady backward steps because they can check answers by counting down and confirm if a difference makes sense.
How to build it step by step
Begin with a number line on paper or tape on the floor. Place a marker at fifty, then move it one step left with each count. Say each number with a small tap so movement matches voice. Once the flow is steady, remove the visual and ask for short bursts such as start at 34 and go to 26.
Use call-and-response. You say thirty, the child says twenty-nine, you say twenty-eight, and they continue. Add rhythm. Clap softly on each count to keep pace measured. Practice decade bridges with care. From 30 to 29, slow down the first time and let the child feel the handoff.
Mix in mini-challenges like start at 18 and land on 12, then stop. In Debsie sessions, teachers track accuracy in quick rounds and celebrate clean sequences, then stretch start points gradually. Book a free trial and we will share a simple five-minute routine you can use each day to keep progress steady.
What to watch for and how to fix it
If your child skips a number, return to the line and rehearse the tricky trio, such as 23, 22, 21, then hide the line and try again. If they flip to forward counting midstream, give a whisper cue like step back and hold up a backward arrow with your hand.
If decade changes cause stalls, drill 40, 39, 38 and 20, 19, 18 in short, focused reps until they feel natural. Aim for nine clean runs out of ten in short sessions to show reliable mastery.
13. G1: subitize 0–10 on ten-frames in <3 seconds with ≥95% accuracy.
Why this benchmark matters
The ten-frame is a simple box that makes number structure visible. When a child can look at a frame and name the amount up to ten almost instantly, they free working memory for reasoning. They do not count dots; they see a pattern.
This fast recognition supports make-ten strategies, complements, and mental addition. It also creates a calm, clear picture of five and ten as anchors. With ninety-five percent accuracy, the child is not guessing but truly seeing.
At Debsie, we use the ten-frame as a visual language that children carry into word problems, money, and measurement. It gives them a stable map for numbers that never changes.
How to build it step by step
Start with a blank frame. Fill the top row from left to right until you reach five, then fill the bottom row for six to ten. Keep the filling order consistent so patterns form quickly. Flash a card for one to two seconds, hide it, and ask how many.
Ask your child to explain the image with simple phrases like I saw a full five and two more or I saw one space missing from ten. Vary speed and spacing. Sometimes show for one second; other times only a quick peek. Use real counters on a physical frame, then move to printed cards, and finally to mental frames the child imagines. Pair frames with quick equations.
Show seven on a frame and ask what makes ten. The child should see three empty spaces. In Debsie classes, we weave subitizing into micro-games so children build speed without stress, and we track accuracy to ensure true fluency.
Join a free trial and receive a printable frame deck and coaching on two-minute drills that fit busy days.
What to watch for and how to fix it
If your child still counts one by one, limit the range to three through six and practice seeing the top row shapes first. If confusion appears for eight and nine, highlight empty spaces and ask how many to make ten.
If accuracy drops when dots are scattered, return to standard left-to-right fills, then gradually introduce small shifts while keeping the pattern logic. Keep sessions brief, joyful, and frequent. Quick bursts build real speed and confidence.
14. G1: addition facts within 10 recalled in ≤3 seconds at ≥95% accuracy.
Why this benchmark matters
Fast recall within ten is the engine of early math. When a child can answer any small sum in three seconds or less, almost every time, they gain freedom to focus on the story of a problem rather than on the mechanics.
This ease supports multi-step tasks and reduces fatigue. It also boosts self-belief, because the child feels capable and in control. The benchmark is not about racing; it is about automatic access. At Debsie, we teach strategies first, then speed grows from understanding.
We want children to say I know 6 + 4 because I make ten, not I just memorized it. That kind of knowing sticks, travels, and scales.
How to build it step by step
Teach core strategies explicitly. Start with make-ten pairs, doubles, and near-doubles. Use ten-frames, bead strings, and finger patterns that show five on each hand. For 8 + 2, show eight on a frame, add two, and see the whole ten.
For 6 + 7, think double six is twelve, then add one to make thirteen. Move from shown models to flashed models to mental images. Run daily two-minute sprints with mixed facts. Keep the tone supportive. If a fact is sticky, pull it out and rehearse it in isolation using a strategy, then return it to the mix.
Encourage verbal reasoning. Ask how did you know and praise clear, short explanations. Cycle representations so memory is flexible: spoken, written, frame-based, and movement-based.
In Debsie lessons, we map each learner’s strong and weak facts and design micro-games that target gaps with joyful repetition. Book a free trial to get a custom fact map and a home practice plan that fits your routine.
What to watch for and how to fix it
If your child counts on fingers for every fact, narrow to a strategy set such as make-ten and drill just those pairs until they pop. If three seconds creates stress, remove the timer and aim for smooth, then reintroduce a gentle beat once accuracy is high.
If errors cluster around sums of nine or ten, use frames to show the jump to ten and the leftover. Keep practice short, steady, and varied. Ninety-five percent accurate recall signals lasting fluency that powers all future math.
15. G1: subtraction facts within 10 recalled in ≤4 seconds at ≥90% accuracy.
Why this benchmark matters
Subtraction can feel tough because it asks the brain to think about parts missing, not parts added. When a child can answer subtraction facts to ten in four seconds with strong accuracy, they show flexible control of number relationships.
This speed frees working memory for reading the problem, choosing a plan, and checking if the answer makes sense. It also reduces anxiety. The child knows they can handle the small steps, so they attempt bigger ones. Mastery here supports mental math, money change, and measurement differences.
At Debsie, we teach subtraction as the flip side of addition, so children rely on meaning, not just rote memory. They learn to see 9 − 4 by thinking 4 + ? = 9 and quickly finding the missing addend. This approach builds calm and consistency.
How to build it step by step
Pair every subtraction with its partner addition. Show 8 − 3 and say I know 3 + 5 = 8, so 8 − 3 = 5. Use ten frames to show a full amount and then cover the part taken away; the leftover is the answer. Teach the count-back only for one or two steps, like 7 − 1 and 7 − 2, and rely on known pairs for larger gaps.
Run daily two-minute mixed drills with gentle timing. Keep the goal smooth and accurate, not rushed. Mix oral questions, quick whiteboard problems, and flash ten-frame images where dots vanish. Ask how did you know to promote strategy talk.
Rotate tricky clusters like 9 − 4, 8 − 5, and 7 − 3 until they pop. In Debsie lessons, we map error patterns and design tiny games that attack just those weak spots, turning stress into playful practice. Book a free trial and get a custom subtraction pack and a simple home routine you can finish before breakfast.
What to watch for and how to fix it
If your child counts back many steps with fingers, shift to missing-addend thinking and show the pair on a frame. If they swap numbers and answer 4 for 8 − 4, rehearse the sentence eight take away four leaves four while pointing to a model.
If speed drops under pressure, remove the timer, recover accuracy, and then reintroduce a soft four-second beat using a quiet metronome tap. Aim for nine or more correct out of ten in short sessions to signal reliable fluency.
16. G1: make-ten pairs (e.g., 7+3) recalled in ≤3 seconds at ≥95% accuracy.
Why this benchmark matters
Ten is the anchor of our number system. Knowing all pairs that make ten is like having a key ring that opens many doors. When a child can name 7 + 3, 6 + 4, 2 + 8, and all the rest in a blink, they can solve bigger problems by regrouping to ten.
This speeds mental addition, supports subtraction by thinking about the missing part to ten, and powers place value work in grade 2. The three-second target and high accuracy mean the facts are automatic, which lowers cognitive load and lifts confidence.
At Debsie, we treat make-ten as a daily warm-up because it appears everywhere: money to the next dollar, time to the next ten minutes, and sums near a decade number.
How to build it step by step
Use a ten-frame as home base. Fill to show seven, then add three and say seven and three make ten. Flip to show six, add four, and repeat. Move to flash cards that show one addend only; your child says the partner without seeing both.
Turn practice into a quick call-and-response: you say eight, they say two. Use fingers with a fixed five on each hand so the child can see gaps fast. Introduce tiny stories. If you have six stickers, you need four more to fill a page of ten.
Cycle through all pairs in random order until responses are crisp. Add reverse checks by asking what goes with three and later asking three goes with what. In Debsie sessions, teachers track which pairs lag and run micro-games that gently spotlight those pairs until they shine.
Book a free trial to get printable ten-frame cards and a one-minute daily script that builds speed without stress.
What to watch for and how to fix it
If your child relies on counting dots each time, slow down and use empty-space talk on the frame: I see two spaces left, so the partner is two. If 5 + 5 or pairs around five feel confusing, isolate them and practice with hand patterns, showing five on one hand and its partner on the other.
If accuracy drops when cards are shuffled, reduce the set to four pairs, stabilize speed, then add more. Keep sessions short and frequent. Ninety-five percent accuracy shows the pairs are truly automatic.
17. G1: doubles 1+1 to 10+10 recalled in ≤2 seconds at 100% accuracy.
Why this benchmark matters
Doubles are the speed lane of early facts. They are easy to remember and act as anchors for near-doubles like 6 + 7. Absolute accuracy at a quick two-second pace builds trust in memory and lets children use doubles as reliable stepping stones in mental math.
When a child knows every double without pause, they can solve many sums by adjusting one up or down. Doubles also support multiplication thinking later, since repeated addition patterns feel familiar.
At Debsie, we build a joyful doubles culture with chants, motions, and visuals so these facts live at the top of the mind and lift confidence in every lesson.
How to build it step by step
Create a doubles chant that flows from one plus one to ten plus ten. Add a motion for each, like two small claps for 2 + 2 and a big stretch for 10 + 10. Use dot patterns, ten frames, and bead strings that show even groups cleanly.
Practice with quick flashes where both addends appear for one second, then vanish, and your child says the sum. Link doubles to near-doubles. After 6 + 6, ask 6 + 7 and guide the child to add one more. Repeat this pattern until it becomes a habit.
Record a personal best round where your child answers all doubles correctly in a row; celebrate and try to match that clarity each day. In Debsie classes, we time short, friendly sprints, track exact response times, and design tiny boosters for any double that lags.
Join a free trial to receive our doubles kit and a two-minute routine that fits neatly into morning warm-ups.
What to watch for and how to fix it
If a child mixes 8 + 8 and 9 + 9, anchor them with visual arrays and a quick check using fingers or bead strings to feel the difference. If two seconds feels tight at first, secure perfect accuracy without timing, then bring in a gentle beat.
If near-doubles are shaky, always pair them right after the base double and say the sentence double six is twelve, so six plus seven is thirteen. Keep practice joyful and exact. Perfect doubles recall turns many tricky sums into easy wins.
18. G1: near-doubles solved mentally in ≤4 seconds at ≥90% accuracy.
Why this benchmark matters
Near-doubles turn a hard sum into an easy one by leaning on a known double. When a child can see 6 + 7 as double six plus one or 8 + 9 as double eight plus one, they use structure, not guesswork. Hitting four seconds with strong accuracy shows the idea is automatic and flexible.
This skill speeds mental math, strengthens number sense, and reduces stress during timed work. It also nurtures smart thinking habits: notice a pattern, use it fast, and move on. At Debsie, we teach near-doubles as a tiny two-step rhythm children love to repeat until it sticks for life.
How to build it step by step
Start with a doubles ladder on paper. Write 1+1, 2+2, up to 10+10, and review them until smooth. Next to each double, write its two near-doubles, one above, one below. For 6+6, show 6+5 and 6+7. Practice the talk track aloud: double six is twelve, plus one is thirteen or double six is twelve, minus one is eleven.
Use ten frames and bead strings to show the tiny adjustment visually. Flash near-doubles for one second, hide them, and ask for the answer with the talk track. Fade the words to a soft whisper, then to inner speech. Mix written and spoken rounds to keep memory flexible.
In Debsie classes, teachers time gentle sprints, flag any sticky pair, and give a micro-game that repeats just that pattern until it clicks. Book a free trial and we will share a printable near-doubles ladder and a two-minute home routine that builds speed without pressure.
What to watch for and how to fix it
If your child forgets the base double, pause near-doubles and refresh doubles to perfection. If they add or subtract the extra in the wrong direction, place two frames side by side and physically move one counter to feel plus one and minus one.
If four seconds creates tension, remove timing, restore accuracy, then reintroduce a quiet beat. Aim for nine clean answers out of ten in short sessions to show reliable mastery.
19. G1: solve add/sub word problems within 20 with 8/10 correct.
Why this benchmark matters
Word problems are where math meets life. When a child can solve story problems up to twenty with strong accuracy, they show they can read, plan, and compute. This benchmark blends language understanding with number sense. It also builds perseverance.
Children learn to picture the scene, choose a strategy, and check if the answer fits the story. Eight out of ten correct shows steady reasoning with room to stretch. At Debsie, we teach a simple routine so children feel calm and in control even when the words feel tricky.
How to build it step by step
Teach a four-step script. Read and point, draw and label, choose and solve, check and tell. First, read the problem, tracing each number with a finger. Second, sketch a tiny picture or quick bar model and label quantities.
Third, pick a method such as make-ten, doubles, or counting on for small steps. Fourth, check if the answer fits by retelling the story in one sentence. Keep numbers small at first and raise complexity slowly. Use ten frames, number lines, and cubes to act out the story before writing equations.
Rotate problem types: add-to, take-from, put-together, compare. Ask your child to name clues like altogether or how many are left and explain what action those words suggest. In Debsie sessions, we color-code quantities, circle the question, and build a one-sentence plan before computing.
This ritual reduces overwhelm and raises accuracy quickly. Try a free trial class and get our problem-type mini cards and a step-by-step tracker you can use at home.
What to watch for and how to fix it
If your child grabs numbers and guesses, slow down and require the sketch with labels before any arithmetic. If they compute right but answer the wrong question, have them box the final ask and restate it aloud.
If language is the barrier, rewrite the same structure with simpler words and build back up. Aim for eight or more correct in a ten-problem set across mixed types to confirm solid, transferable skill.
20. G1: model ± within 20 on a number line with ≥90% accuracy.
Why this benchmark matters
The number line turns invisible steps into a clear path. When a child can add and subtract within twenty by moving right or left accurately, they learn that numbers live in order and distance matters. This supports mental math, estimation, and later fraction work.
It also creates a check for answers from other strategies. If 13 + 5 lands at 18 on the line, the picture confirms the result. Ninety percent accuracy shows careful tracking, correct direction, and sensible landing points.
At Debsie, we teach lines as flexible tools, not just pictures on a page, so children can draw quick lines anytime they need clarity.
How to build it step by step
Start with a bold line from 0 to 20 with tick marks and labeled numbers. Pose small moves such as start at 7, jump 3 to the right, and land on 10. Make the jumps in friendly chunks, like a hop of three or a hop of five, and label the jump size above the arc.
For subtraction, face left and hop back. Teach a steady routine: mark the start, choose direction, plan hops, jump and land, label the answer. Fade supports by removing some tick labels so the child relies on spacing, not just reading.
Introduce bridging over a decade with arcs that show a hop to 10, then the rest to the target. Ask your child to explain each jump aloud to build metacognition. In Debsie classes, we use floor tape lines for full-body hops, whiteboard lines for quick sketches, and digital lines for timed challenges. Book a free trial to see how our coaches turn number lines into a favorite thinking tool.
What to watch for and how to fix it
If your child overshoots, slow the pace and make smaller, labeled hops. If they move the wrong way on subtraction, put a small arrow on the left side of the line labeled back and rehearse a few take-away moves with voice cues.
If decade bridges cause errors, split the move at ten and write two small equations, such as 8 + 7 = 8 + 2 + 5, to match the two jumps. Target nine correct out of ten in short, mixed rounds to show true control of the line.
21. Start of G2: skip count by 2s, 5s, 10s from any number to 100 with ≥95% accuracy.
Why this benchmark matters
Skip counting is early multiplication in disguise. When a child can jump by twos, fives, and tens starting anywhere, they see number as groups, not just steps. This builds place value strength, prepares for times tables, and speeds real-life math with coins, time, and measurement.
Starting from any number matters because life rarely begins at zero. The ninety-five percent target shows the pattern lives in long-term memory and does not fall apart when the start changes. At Debsie, we treat skip counting as rhythm training for the brain.
The beat stays steady, the pattern repeats, and confidence grows because the child feels the group structure under every count.
How to build it step by step
Anchor each pattern with concrete models. For twos, pair socks or link cubes into sticks of two. For fives, use one hand as a constant model. For tens, build bundles or use full ten-frames. Practice classic runs first, then shift starts.
Say begin at 7 and count by twos to 31 and guide the voice to land on odd and even alternately. For fives, begin at 15 and go to 70, listening for the fifteen, twenty, twenty-five cadence. For tens, start at 30 and jump to 100, touching the zero pattern with your eyes.
Draw open number lines and plan arcs that match the skip size. Encourage whisper counts between jumps to feel the spacing: whisper 16, 17, and say 18 aloud as the landing for counting by twos. Mix short bursts with joyful challenges like coin count-ups using nickels and dimes if available.
In Debsie classes, we time friendly sprints, log accuracy, and weave music and claps to lock in the beat. Book a free trial and we will share home routines that fit in two-minute pockets each day.
What to watch for and how to fix it
If your child drifts off pattern, bring back manipulatives and count groups aloud while touching each group. If landing numbers blur at decade bridges, slow down and rehearse a bridge like 45, 50, 55 with finger taps.
If starting from odd places is hard, practice mini-sets that begin off the usual path, then reconnect to the classic runs. Aim for smooth, almost-perfect sequences that feel like a song your child can start anywhere.
22. G2: subitize structured arrays up to 12 in <3 seconds with ≥90% accuracy.
Why this benchmark matters
Seeing groups at a glance does not stop at five or ten. In grade 2, children should read small arrays like a 3 by 4 rectangle quickly and correctly. This builds multiplicative thinking and speeds addition, because the child sees four groups of three, not twelve lonely dots.
Fast array recognition also supports area models, equal groups problems, and early times table sense. The ninety percent bar shows the child is not guessing; they truly see the structure in rows and columns.
At Debsie, we make arrays feel like patterns your eyes can trust, which turns problem solving into clear, calm steps.
How to build it step by step
Use dot grids, egg cartons, or muffin tins to show rows and columns. Flash a pattern such as three rows of four for a second, hide it, and ask how many, then ask how they saw it. Guide the talk toward row-by-column language: I saw three rows with four in each.
Move to partial reveals where you show two rows, hide one, then reveal all. This trains the brain to hold structure. Rotate orientations so the array sometimes sits tall and sometimes wide. Link arrays to equations: 3 × 4, 4 × 3, and 12, while noting commutativity.
Encourage skip-count support by running 4, 8, 12 as the child looks across columns. Practice with ten-frames stitched together for amounts beyond ten, like a full ten plus two more in a small array.
In Debsie sessions, we blend paper drills with quick digital flashes and hands-on trays, then log which arrays lag to target them in playful micro-games. Join a free trial to receive printable array cards and a two-minute routine that makes structure pop.
What to watch for and how to fix it
If your child reverts to one-by-one counting, lower the size, stabilize at six to eight items, then rebuild to twelve. If they mix rows and columns, place colored counters on the first item of each row and have them sweep across with a finger.
If accuracy dips on rotated arrays, explicitly turn the card and restate three rows of four no matter the orientation. Keep sessions brisk and joyful. Quick, frequent flashes build lasting visual fluency.
23. G2: addition facts within 20 automatic in ≤2 seconds at ≥95% accuracy.
Why this benchmark matters
By grade 2, small sums must be instant so the mind can handle larger tasks like adding within 100, regrouping, and solving multi-step stories. Two seconds signals true automaticity, not rushed guessing. Ninety-five percent accuracy shows the facts live close to the surface, ready to help with every problem.
This fluency lowers stress, speeds homework, and frees attention for planning and checking. At Debsie, we push understanding first using make-ten, doubles, and near-doubles, then we build speed with short, smart practice until answers appear with ease.
How to build it step by step
Clean up strategy sets before chasing speed. Rehearse make-ten pairs, doubles, and bridge-to-ten moves with ten-frames and bead strings. Shift to mixed oral and written sprints where the child gives answers only, not steps, to strengthen retrieval.
Use tiny sets of four to six sticky facts and loop them until crisp, then mix into the wider pool. Encourage self-talk that fades: first explain the strategy, then whisper it, then think it silently as response time drops. Add meaning checks by embedding facts into tiny stories so answers link to sense, not just symbols.
Track accuracy and time on a simple chart to show growth. In Debsie classes, we personalize sprint decks, rotate representations, and keep sessions under three minutes to avoid fatigue while building automaticity. Book a free trial to get a custom fact plan and printable trackers that make progress visible and motivating.
What to watch for and how to fix it
If a cluster stalls, spotlight the partner strategy. For 9 + n, push the make-ten bridge: add one to nine to make ten, take one from the other addend. If two seconds creates tension, remove timing, regain accuracy, then reintroduce a gentle metronome click.
If errors spike at transitions like 8 + 7, pair it with its near-double script right after practicing 7 + 7. Keep practice light but consistent. Automatic facts turn big math into calm steps.
24. G2: subtraction facts within 20 automatic in ≤3 seconds at ≥90% accuracy.
Why this benchmark matters
Subtraction within twenty must be quick and steady for regrouping to feel clear and for word problems to flow. Three seconds gives time for either direct recall or a fast missing-addend shift. Ninety percent accuracy shows stable control across many pairs, not just the easy ones.
This fluency lowers cognitive load, helps with estimation, and builds the habit of checking work by thinking in reverse. At Debsie, we teach subtraction as a network of relationships tied to addition, not an isolated skill, so recall becomes simple and secure.
How to build it step by step
Anchor each subtraction to its linked addition. Practice families like 13, 6, and 7 by flipping between 6 + 7, 7 + 6, 13 − 6, and 13 − 7. Use ten-frames for teens as a full ten plus extras, then cover to show the part taken away.
Train the think-add track explicitly: for 15 − 7, ask what plus 7 makes 15 and skip-count up in two or three quick jumps. Mix timed and untimed rounds to protect accuracy while growing speed. Include micro word problems so answers carry meaning.
Track tricky facts and run two-minute focus sets daily. In Debsie lessons, we design targeted practice that attacks just the sticky pairs while keeping morale high with game-like formats and instant feedback. Try a free trial to get a personalized set and a home routine that fits your schedule.
What to watch for and how to fix it
If your child counts back many steps, pivot to counting up to the whole using the missing-addend lens. If teens cause confusion, rebuild the image of 10 + n and show the removal clearly.
If the timer rattles them, switch to answer-then-show timing where they answer first, then you flip a quiet three-second cue simply to measure, not pressure. Steady practice brings calm speed, and calm speed unlocks bigger math.
25. G2: add within 100 using make-ten/bridge-ten in ≤10 seconds at ≥90% accuracy.
Why this benchmark matters
Adding within one hundred is where place value turns practical. When a child can solve problems like 38 plus 7 or 46 plus 19 by making a ten and finishing the rest, they use the structure of our number system, not just counting on fingers.
Ten seconds allows calm thinking without rush while still training efficiency. The ninety percent bar shows the method is reliable across many mixes of numbers. This skill reduces errors, speeds up written work, and builds confidence for regrouping with two-digit numbers.
At Debsie, we teach a simple rhythm: get to the next ten first, then add what remains. With this rhythm, even tricky sums feel manageable and neat.
How to build it step by step
Start with a number line or bead string that highlights tens. For 38 plus 7, hop two to land on 40, then hop five more to reach 45. Say the steps aloud to link action to thought. Move from lines to mental pictures by flashing the line briefly, then hiding it and asking for the same steps in the head.
Use equations that show the split. Write 38 + 7 as 38 + 2 + 5 and underline the bridge to 40. Practice small bridges first, such as adding 1, 2, or 3 to hit the next ten, then expand to larger bridges across teens and twenties. Introduce two-digit by one-digit sums with regrouping, like 46 + 9, and keep the make-ten habit strong.
In Debsie lessons, we track accuracy and timing, then tailor micro-drills to the exact bridge sizes a child finds tough. Book a free trial and get printable bridge cards and a one-minute daily script that makes the method second nature.
What to watch for and how to fix it
If your child forgets to finish the leftover after the bridge, have them write a quick split each time and check off both parts. If they try to hop all seven at once and stumble, slow down and require the two-step plan.
If decade transitions cause mistakes, rehearse landing phrases like land on forty, then add the rest until the language guides the action. Aim for nine or more correct out of ten within ten seconds each to show secure, efficient addition.
26. G2: subtract within 100 mentally in ≤12 seconds at ≥85% accuracy.
Why this benchmark matters
Mental subtraction to one hundred lets a child solve daily problems without paper. Twelve seconds gives room to plan, decompose, and check. The eighty-five percent target acknowledges that subtraction is cognitively heavier but still expects steady success.
This skill grows flexible thinking because there are many good paths: count up from the smaller number, decompose the subtrahend, or borrow to a ten and finish. It also builds self-monitoring, as children learn to test if an answer makes sense by estimating.
At Debsie, we coach a small set of reliable paths so children pick one fast and move with purpose rather than freezing.
How to build it step by step
Teach two core tracks. The count-up track solves 54 minus 37 by thinking how far from 37 to 54: jump 3 to 40, then 14 to 54, for a total of 17. The take-away track solves 72 minus 18 by subtracting 10 to get 62, then subtracting 8 to land at 54.
Use open number lines at first, label each jump, and speak the moves. Fade the line to mental jumps once accuracy is steady. Practice friendly numbers that bridge to tens and fifties to build confidence, then increase complexity. Include real contexts like finding change from a fifty or measuring how many minutes until the next hour to make meaning strong.
In Debsie sessions, we diagnose which track fits a learner best and strengthen that first before expanding choice, all while logging time and accuracy so growth stays visible. Try a free trial and receive our subtraction pathways kit with short, daily routines.
What to watch for and how to fix it
If your child mixes tracks mid-problem, ask them to choose one aloud before starting and stick to it. If they lose count during multiple jumps, require labeled mini-jumps written or whispered.
If errors cluster around teens, rehearse bridges across 30, 40, and 50 with small subtractions until the transitions feel smooth. Aim for at least eighty-five percent correct within twelve seconds to show practical, usable fluency.
27. G2: read/write numbers 0–999 and explain H-T-O with ≥95% accuracy.
Why this benchmark matters
Reading and writing numbers to nine hundred ninety-nine is the heart of place value in grade two. H-T-O stands for hundreds, tens, and ones. When children can say a number, write it correctly, and explain which digit shows hundreds, tens, or ones with very high accuracy, they hold the map of our number system.
This map supports comparing numbers, rounding, and adding or subtracting across place values. It also boosts confidence in word problems that include three-digit amounts. At Debsie, we emphasize clear language and consistent models so the idea of a bundle of ten tens equals one hundred becomes simple and concrete.
How to build it step by step
Use base-ten blocks or drawings. Show a number like 342 with three flats for hundreds, four rods for tens, and two cubes for ones. Ask your child to name it, then write 342, and finally explain each digit’s role.
Rotate tasks so sometimes you speak a number and they build it, and other times they see blocks and write the numeral. Practice expanded form to lock in structure: 342 equals 300 plus 40 plus 2. Move to quick oral drills where you say the digits and the child reads the full number aloud, then switch and have them read while you write to check for reversals.
Introduce word form in small, clear steps so three hundred forty-two feels natural. In Debsie classes, we provide daily micro-practice and instant feedback, and we track accuracy by skill strand so gaps close fast. Book a free trial and get printable place-value mats and a short script you can use at home in five minutes a day.
What to watch for and how to fix it
If your child writes 402 as 420, slow down and point to tens versus ones with a place-value chart, sliding digits into labeled boxes. If they forget the zero as a placeholder, rehearse numbers like 506 using the sentence five hundreds, zero tens, six ones to honor the missing tens.
If reading large numbers leads to stumbles, chunk the number by place and have them touch each digit group while speaking. Aim for at least ninety-five percent accuracy across read, write, and explain to show solid, transferable place value understanding.
28. G2: compare three-digit numbers using place value with 9/10 correct.
Why this benchmark matters
Comparing three-digit numbers tests true place value understanding. A child who can look at 472 and 457 and say which is greater using hundreds, tens, and ones shows firm control of structure, not just memorized rules.
Nine out of ten correct means the method works across many pairs, even when digits look close or when zeros appear in tricky spots. This skill supports rounding, ordering data, and deciding which answer in a problem makes sense. It also strengthens logical talk.
Children learn to justify answers with clear reasons, such as both have four hundreds, but seven tens beats five tens. At Debsie, we make comparison a simple habit: check hundreds first, then tens, then ones.
This calm sequence turns what once felt fuzzy into a quick, confident judgment that kids can explain in one clean sentence.
How to build it step by step
Begin with place-value mats labeled hundreds, tens, ones. Build two numbers with flats, rods, and cubes. Ask which is greater and why, then restate the reason using place names. Shift to written numerals and draw three small columns under each number.
Write the digits in the columns to make the structure visible. Use a quick chant to guide steps: compare hundreds, then tens, then ones, stop when different. Practice edge cases. If hundreds match and tens match, move to ones.
If a zero sits in the tens or ones place, call it a strong zero to remind your child it still holds a place. Add open number lines to show distance.
Place both numbers on the line and see which lies to the right. Mix in real contexts such as comparing scores, page numbers, or distances so decisions feel meaningful. In Debsie classes, we time short rounds, track error types, and supply micro-fixes, like a mini-card that says same hundreds, compare tens to anchor the sequence.
Book a free trial and get printable comparison ladders and a two-minute daily routine that makes accuracy stick.
What to watch for and how to fix it
If your child reads right to left, slow down and point left to right while saying hundreds, tens, ones. If they rush and skip the stop-when-different rule, have them circle the first unequal place and cover the rest to reduce noise.
If zeros confuse them, rehearse pairs like 406 versus 396 with blocks to feel that four hundreds already win. Aim for nine correct out of ten in mixed sets to confirm strong, transferable skill.
29. G2: solve one- and two-step word problems within 100 with 8/10 correct.
Why this benchmark matters
Real math lives in stories. When a child can solve one- and two-step problems within one hundred with steady accuracy, they show they can read, plan, and carry out a small sequence of actions. This blends language, number sense, and self-control.
Two-step work matters because life rarely ends after the first move. The child must hold an interim result, then choose the next step and finish well. Eight out of ten correct shows growth and reliability, even when numbers and contexts change.
At Debsie, we teach a tiny routine that removes stress: read and point, model and label, choose and compute, check and tell. With this rhythm, your child builds a habit of clear thinking that travels to every subject.
How to build it step by step
Start with short problems and clear models. Use bar models or quick sketches with labels to show parts and totals. Train your child to circle the question and underline the numbers, then write a small plan in words, such as first add, then subtract.
For two-step problems, box the first answer and carry it forward into the second step. Keep numbers friendly at first, then add bridges that cross tens to practice make-ten strategies. Add estimation checks. Before computing, ask is the answer near fifty or closer to twenty to set a rough target.
After computing, ask does this fit the story to catch slips. Mix problem types so your child learns to look for action words like altogether, more, left, and difference while still thinking about meaning, not just keywords.
In Debsie sessions, we color-code quantities, rehearse the four-step routine until it is automatic, and give precise feedback on where the plan broke when errors occur. Book a free trial and we will share printable problem mats and a five-minute daily script that builds steady success.
What to watch for and how to fix it
If your child grabs numbers and guesses, require the model with labels before any arithmetic. If they lose track in two steps, have them say step one out loud, write the interim result big, and draw an arrow to step two.
If reading slows them, rewrite the same structure with simpler words, then restore the original language once the plan is solid. Keep sessions brief and consistent. Eight or more correct in a ten-problem mixed set signals real, portable skill.
30. G2: complete fact families (e.g., 8+5=13, 13−5=8) correctly in 9/10 sets.
Why this benchmark matters
Fact families show how addition and subtraction are linked. When a child can take any three numbers that make a family and write the two addition facts and the two subtraction facts correctly most of the time, they reveal deep understanding of inverse operations.
This understanding speeds checking, supports mental math, and reduces the number of isolated facts a child must memorize. It also grows flexible thinking. Children learn to move within the family to find a missing part, test an answer, or switch a problem into a friendlier form.
At Debsie, we treat families like tiny neighborhoods where numbers live together and help each other. That picture makes recall warm, logical, and fast.
How to build it step by step
Use triangle cards. Place the total at the top and the two parts at the base corners. Cover one corner and ask for the hidden number. Then write all four facts in a set order: part plus part equals whole, switch the parts, whole minus part equals part, switch the missing part.
Link to ten-frames and bar models so the family is visible, not just words. For 8 and 5 making 13, show a full ten with three extras and a second frame with five removed to see the subtraction clearly. Practice saying the family aloud as a quick chant to build fluency.
Mix in missing number equations like 13 − __ = 8 to train flexible movement inside the family. In Debsie classes, we track which families lag, design micro-games around those, and encourage children to explain the inverse link in one sentence such as subtraction undoes addition.
Book a free trial and get printable family triangles and a one-minute routine you can run at breakfast or bedtime.
What to watch for and how to fix it
If your child reverses subtraction, pause and act it out with counters. Build the whole, remove a part, and name the leftover. If they forget to switch addends in the second addition fact, show that order does not change the total by flipping counters’ positions.
If zeros or equal parts cause confusion, rehearse families like 9, 9, 18 and 10, 0, 10 to see special cases. Aim for nine families correct out of ten in mixed sets. That level of control means your child owns the structure and can use it to solve and check with confidence.
Conclusion
Strong math grows from small, steady steps. Your child learns to count with care, see groups fast, and recall tiny facts with ease. These skills turn hard problems into clear plans. They also build focus, patience, and calm. With the thirty benchmarks above, you now have a simple roadmap from kindergarten to grade 2.
Use short daily practice, kind feedback, and clear routines. Keep sessions brief and joyful. Track wins so your child sees progress and feels proud. When the base is firm, everything after becomes lighter and faster.
