Last week was a little crazy with indoor recess everyday, so hopefully it warms up and we can get the kids outside to run around again.  We had to have a lot of conversations the past week about behavior and how we talk to each other.  We reviewed our class promise and did a little writing about why we think they are important and how we can follow them even better over the next few weeks.
In math we are learning all about multiplication and division!  They are all very excited and doing so well understanding the concepts.  We will continue working with it over the next few weeks.  Their homework will reflect this and should be able to be done independently.  If your child is struggling, please have them bring it in and they can work on it with me in class. 
In social studies we are making our own communities that reflect what we've learned about urban, rural and suburban.  They are working in groups to make their communities and then will be making maps to show off their map skills we did a few weeks ago!  When we are finished we will be displaying them in the hallway.  We also have our Flat Stanley display started, we only have had a few return, so if your get photos/letters/trinkets please start sending them in so we can add them to our second grade wall!
Wednesday will be the 100th day of school this year!  We will be doing a few activities but you don't need to send anything with them.  This Friday we will be having a short valentine celebration at the end of the day from 12:15 to 12:50.  Students can bring in valentine cards for their homeroom if they would like.  Please bring them for all the students, or none.  They can also decorate a box if they'd like, or we'll have extra bags to put their cards in if they forget. 
Also, we don't have school on President's Day (February 17th) or February 18th for an assessment day. 

This week in math we are starting to learn about division.  I have to say that so far they are doing beautifully!  We are starting with the basics about how we have to divide things equally between groups (it isn't fair if one group has 3 while another has 10).  Their math writing is also really starting to take shape.  I really want them to be able to explain their thinking and process when solving word problems, so we have been practicing each Wednesday in what we call 'Wednesday Word Problem' or WWP for short!  Many of them are still using arrays to help them in both multiplication and division, so if they are doing this at home please continue encouraging them to do so if it helps!
In social studies we are learning about the different types of communities (Rural, Suburban, and Urban) and the different aspects of them such as places to work, live, play and shop.  The students will be creating their own communities and maps towards the latter part of the week or early next week depending on how things go. 
Just as a heads up, if your child would like to make and bring valentines we are asking for them to bring for just their homeroom and all or none so students don't feel left out.  We will be sending lists home this Friday so you will have the week to get them ready if you would like.
Also coming up next week is our 100th day of school (Wednesday, Feb 12th)!  You won't have to prepare anything special for this day.  In second grade we like to learn how to write roman numerals to 100 and a few other fun activities but you won't need to send anything in with your child for them.  
Have a great week!