Meet Audrey!

Welcome, Audrey!
Audrey is the newest member of
our second grade classroom. She
just moved here from Boston,
Massachusetts. Her favorite color
is purple and she loves to swim
and do gymnastics with her
younger sisters.

Ms. Theisen
theisenh@msu.edu
(734) 645-8354
Second Grade
Room 103

Nov. 2nd, 2015

Classroom News

Vol. 1

Lets Get Active!

Mental Health: What is it?

Jump Rope Week:

Jumping rope is a great
way to stay physically
active and get your heart
rate up! I have sent home
a jump rope with every
student, so encourage
your child to get up and
jump rope once a day for
every day this week!

Spelling Words:
1. About

8. Think

2. After

9. Those

3. Again

10. These

4. Always

11. Step

5. Jump

12. Splat

6. Keep

13. Scram

7. Kind

14. Split

Mental Health: A state of emotional, social, and psychological

well-being!
Maintaining mental health is just as important as maintaining
physical health. In terms of second graders, my goal is for them to
live stress-free, engaging, and happy lives each day.
The health of our children is one of our biggest priorities. But
health means more than yearly check-ups staying clear of germs.
For the next five weeks, we will be exploring what it means to be
mentally healthy and what we can do to keep our kids mentally
healthy!

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Photo Credit: http://wvxu.org/post/recognizing-and-treatingchildrens-mental-health-issues#stream/0

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[Issue] :: [Date]
Lets Get Active!

Dance Week:

Classroom News

Vol. 2

Nov. 9th, 2015

What to
Look For:

Signs that your child

might be struggling
with his or her mental
health!

Have you noticed a change in your childs usual

mood or behavior? Maybe they are less
interested in favorable activities, withdrawn
from family or friends, or worrying excessively?
These are just a few signs that your child might
be experiencing some mental stress.
Others may include:
Trouble concentrating
Changes in attitude
Changes in body language and
physical appearance
Excessive mood swings

This week in class, I taught

the students a fun dance to
get them up and moving in
between work time. Dance is
a great way to stay active.
Have your child practice their
new dance for you at home!

Spelling Words:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Craft
Clam
Grunt
Brass
People
Want
Favorite

8. Glint
9. Grab
10. Grit
11. Strap
12. Sprint
13. Print
14. Play

Photo Credit:
https://clchild.ku.edu

Meet Trent!

Hello, Trent!
Trent is one of 14 boys in Ms. Theisens class, and he
is proud of it. Trent loves to play baseball and
football with his dad, his friends, and his cousins. His
favorite color is green, for Michigan State University
of course. Trents favorite food is pasta!
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Meet Claire!
Greetings, Claire!
Claire is a fun-loving and energetic
member of our class. She has an
older sister, one younger brother
and two dogs named Maggie and
Hazel. Claires favorite hobbies are
singing and dancing- she wants to
perform on Broadway one day!

Classroom News

Nov. 16th, 2015

Vol. 3

What Can I Do?

Things YOU can do to help your child stay mentally healthy:

Have regular conversations about whats going on in

their life!
Get involved in extra- curricular activities!
Implement the activity of the week at home!
Stay informed and supported!
Encourage regular physical activity!
Realize its not your fault!

These are just a few simple strategies you can implement into
your daily routines to help nurture the mental health of your
second grader.

Lets Get Active!

Walking Week:
This week our focused
physical activity is walking!
We will be counting the
number of steps we take in
each school day. Try
counting your steps at
home!

Spelling Words:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Over
Under
Below
Through
Behind
Beyond
Before

8. Think
9. Right
10. Left
11. Means
12. Same
13. Came
14. Tame

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Photo Credit: http://www.clker.com/clipart-rainbow-handprints.html

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Classroom News

[Issue] :: [Date]

Reminder:
Vol. 4
Thanksgiving Break!

Nov. 30th, 2015

School will be closed

Wednesday, Nov. 25th Friday,
Nov. 27th

Physical Activity
& Mental Health:

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Physical activity plays a large role in benefiting mental health.

When we exercise, our bodies release endorphins that help to
boost our mood and relieve stress. It is important for children to
take breaks throughout their scheduled days to get up and play!
When your child exercises, it not only promotes their physical
health, but their mental health as well!

Lets Get Active!

Yoga Week!
We have been working on
yoga as a form of physical
activity and a way to
reduce our stress! Ask you
child to show you the new
poses we learn each day.

Meet Heather!
Hi, Heather!
Heather loves the second grade so
far. Her favorite subject to learn
about is Language Arts and her
favorite color is blue. She spends her
time outside of school dancing and
playing with her dog, Cooper!

Spelling Words:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Animals
House
Point
Page
Letter
Mother
Father

Photo Credit:
http://www.thanksgiving2015i.com/clipartthanksgiving-clipart-free-black-and-white-forkids-border-turkey.html

8. Study
9. Still
10. Learn
11. America
12. World
13. Change
14. Picture

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Lets Get Active!

Bicycle Week!
A fun way to get around our
community is by riding a
bike! We have been
discussing bicycle safety
and ways we can
incorporate riding into our
daily lives. Ask your child to
tell you some safety tips!

Promoting Mental Health

In Our Classroom!
In addition to the things you can be implementing at home, I have
implemented activities into our daily classroom schedule to keep
your children mentally healthy.

Brain Breaks are taken in between lessons to let go of

any tension and relax for fifteen minutes!

Lets Get Active time means that every student must

drop what theyre doing and practice our activity of the
week!

Safe Place is a designated area in the room that

students can go to in order to relax and spend some time
for yourself!

Share Circle is a time to gather with peers and talk

about what things are going well in our every day lives,
and what things we want to work on and get better at.

Spelling Words:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Root
Crew
Spoon
Few
Bloom
Stew
Boost

Vol. 5

8. Scoop
9. Flew
10. Noon
11. Soon
12. Weigh
13. Sleigh
14. Strange

News
ClassroomClassroom
News
Dec. 7th, 2015
Meet Noah!
Hello, Noah!
Noah brings a positive
energy to our classroom
each and every day. He
enjoys sharing sports facts
with the class and playing
sports too! Noah plays on a
hockey team with his older
brother, Owen.

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References:
"5 Warning Signs Of Common Mental Health Disorders In Kids." Medical Daily. N.p., 20 May
2013. Web. 15 Nov. 2015.
"Children and Young People." Children and Young People. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Nov. 2015.
"Children Mental Health." Children Mental Health. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Nov. 2015.
Physical Activity and Mental Health in Children and Adolescents: A Review of Reviews." -Biddle and Asare. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Nov. 2015.
"The Exercise Effect." N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Nov. 2015.
"Treatment of Children with Mental Illness." NIMH RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Nov. 2015.