This week we are learning about arrays, which leads us into...multiplication!!  This is my FAVORITE part of second grade math!  I love helping kids see that it can be really fun and teach them little tricks to remembering and doing multiplication.  Right now we are learning that 7x8 can be read as "Seven groups of eight".  Basically we are learning the concept (adding together equal groups), not memorizing multiplication facts yet.  
In social studies we are learning all about maps and communities.  We have a really fun bulletin board in our classroom right now with an old aerial view of Stapleton from 2003, and then next to it another map from 2010.  I'm trying to find a current map (even just a brochure) so that we can look at how our own community has changed in the past 10 years.  The students have been trying to find their houses, and many of them haven't been built in the 2003 one (in fact our school hadn't been built yet!).  We are anxiously awaiting any news from our Flat Stanley's and their adventures!  We will be looking at our world/US maps to track the locations they travel.  If you haven't sent it and would like to we encourage you to do it before the end of the week.  The students have been learning a lot about how maps are set up including compass roses, keys, symbols and scale.  
I hope you all enjoyed your long weekend!  My homeroom has earned a class party, so I will be e-mailing you later this week about what we decide to do on Friday to celebrate. Also, don't forget that homework is due on Friday, if your child is having a hard time with any of the concepts please have them bring it to class before then for help.  Have a great week!

I hope you all had a relaxing and enjoyable winter break!  I enjoyed spending a quiet break with my family and enjoyed reading and doing crafts with my kids. 
For this coming week we will be working on getting our routines back in place as well as working on our geometry unit.  We will be learning about quadrilaterals and polygons as well as lines of symmetry.  We will also be reviewing some place value concepts with base ten blocks.
In social studies we are learning all about maps.  Don't forget that we have our potluck for the 'How-To' study the students finished in literacy.  We will be sharing our Flat Stanley adventures as well during the pot luck.  After Friday, the students will be taking their Flat Stanley's home.  We invite you to mail them off to friends and family and as we get pictures and letters back we will post them in the hallway near the 2nd grade area to show all the places they traveled! 
See you tomorrow! :)