Mrs. Timmreck's Kindergarten Class

Book Character Parade

2011-11-04T10:54:00.000-07:00

Thank you parents for sending your child dressed as a favorite character today. It was a wonderful way to celebrate a successful book fair week at RCE! The children were absolutely precious!

Dewberry Farm

2011-10-17T13:23:00.001-07:00

We had loads of fun at Dewberry Farm! Thank you such much to James Dudley, Mitch McGee, Mary Chamberlain, Audra Marye, and Rachel Walker for joining us on our trip. Below are some snapshots taken by Audra Marye (thank you!). If any other parents have pictures they took, please email them to me and I will include them on our blog, too. Thank you again!

Watch Us Work at Literacy Stations!

2011-09-30T09:54:00.001-07:00

Today I took a few snapshots of the children at Literacy Stations. As you can see, they are busy learners! Assessments are complete and next week we will begin our small group reading instruction during this time each day. I will be pulling the children to do letter sounds, word work, and guided reading. We are READY to roll!

Lucas and Jake work at ABC

2011-09-30T09:50:00.000-07:00

Jeewon and Isabella create at the Art Station

2011-09-30T09:42:00.000-07:00

Corbin and Maddox do Tumblebooks at Computer!

2011-09-30T09:41:00.001-07:00

Cullen at Listening and Erin explores at Science

2011-09-30T09:40:00.001-07:00

Tatum and Owen Sort Sounds on the Active Board

2011-09-30T09:39:00.001-07:00

Henry and Preston are busy writing!

2011-09-30T09:37:00.000-07:00

2011-09-30T09:36:00.000-07:00

Trey and Henry explore with the iTouches

2011-09-30T09:34:00.000-07:00

Michael and Alayna create a book at the Author's Area

Back To School Night

2011-09-21T11:50:00.000-07:00

Thank you so much for coming to our classroom last night. It was wonderful to see you. If you have not signed and returned the blog permission slip, please do so. Also, please return the blue contact cards. If you were unable to attend, these items are coming in your child's folder today. The room moms and I will create a volunteer calendar for you as soon as possible. Thank you to all the parents that signed up to help in the classroom...wow! I hope to start Handwriting next week on Tuesday to stay tuned for information. Lastly, I appreciate all of the friends that took items to donate to the classroom. You all are the BEST!

Welcome to Kindergarten!

2011-09-01T09:40:00.001-07:00

Welcome! It is going to be a great school year. The children are precious and are busy learning the routines of the day. It hasn't taken them long at all...they are EXCELLENT kindergartners! I am one lucky teacher. Please come back and visit our classroom blog. Smiles, Mrs. Timmreck

Tool #11

2011-06-15T19:02:00.000-07:00

1. What are your favorite tools you now have in your personal technology toolbox? Briefly describe a particular activity that you will plan for your students using at least one of these new tools. I am very excited to try a lot of the tools next year! I will jump right in at the beginning of the year by embedding videos into my flipcharts. I will use worldle and ABC Wordya with the list of words my students generate. I can just type the list on my activeboard and create these cool projects with my class. They will be so ready to do this on their own in the lab or at literacy stations. I plan to use Storybirds to generate stories with my students.

2. How have you transformed your thinking about the learning that will take place in your classroom? How has your vision for your classroom changed? Are you going to need to make any changes to your classroom to accommodate the 21st Century learner? I have changed my mindset from how can I use this technology, to what technology can I use to drive the curriculum. I will have to expose my students to a variety of tools so my students have choices on ways to demonstrate their knowledge of the curriculum.

3. Were there any unexpected outcomes from this program that surprised you? Honestly, I surprised myself. I was able to watch the tutorials and with trial and error, figure out a lot of new things I never thought I would be able to do.

Tool #10 Digital Citizenship

2011-06-15T13:54:00.000-07:00

1. Discuss at least three things you would want to make sure your students understand about being good digital citizens. I want my students to know the importance of staying safe online in an unfiltered world. I want them to know to hide passwords, be NICE on the internet, and ask parents/adults before visiting websites.

2. Share at least one of the resources mentioned above or on the Ed Tech website that you plan to use instructionally. I plan on using the video clip and online quiz found on Brainpop about digital citizenship. I also loved the Cybersmart Young Kids website.

3. Explain briefly how you would "teach" the idea of digital citizenship to your students. As mentioned previously, I will use Brainpop to introduce what digital citizenship is. Then I will use Cybersmart to teach the acronym of THINK...tell an adult, hide passwords, interesting...but check with mom/dad, be Nice, keep passwords safe.

4. Explain briefly how you plan to share the idea of digital citizenship with your parents. I will share the importance of this at Back to School night and I will also share sites to the above resources so parents are also in the know about digital citizenship.

Tool #9 Incorporating Classroom Based Devices

2011-06-15T12:58:00.000-07:00

I want my students to use technology, but I do need to make sure it is tied to the curriculum. When my students are using technology at stations, I need to hold them accountable. Why? First of all, I want them to be on task. Secondly, I need to know if they are mastering the objectives and ready to move on.
I checked out a few interactive websites that I can use during stations with my mini's. My favorite was Tutpup. I will definitely use this during math stations. I think my students will LOVE playing math games against other children from far away places! I had my own daughter practicing her math facts with this and she is hooked! I plan to use Studyladder during literacy stations. I could differentiate homework for higher level students with this, too.
I plan on using my I-Touches during both math and literacy stations. I love the Brainpop App and I will definitely use this....kids can watch short video clips and complete a quiz. I will use their quiz to show mastery. I will have the kids use various Apps to work on sight words (1000 sight words free) and math facts (math fact master lite) . Both of these apps record the students' scores.

Tool #8 Taking a Look at the Tools

2011-06-14T13:40:00.001-07:00

After watching the videos/tutorials I learned several new things. First of all, I will need to name each of my I-Touches in my classroom. I will use the suggestion to name them with my room number and A-E. I will put this on the actual device so I can better manage each one. I also learned that I can have up to 11 pages of Apps on each I-Touch. I didn't realize Brainpop had an app where kids can watch short video clips and do a quiz. My students always love brainpop! This would be a great station using a rockstar and headphones. I am worried about how to keep 5 I Touches charged. I wish I had a device to charge 5 at once using a wall outlet. I need to look into that. Then I could have that be one of my helper jobs for a student.

Tool #7 Reaching Outside Your Classroom

2011-06-14T09:14:00.000-07:00

I was impressed with Class2Class. On there I saw a project using M&M graphing. This is a math activity we do each year. Typically, we just have each child graph a bag of m&ms. It would be great to take it further by using technology and then reaching outside our classroom to another class. The objective I would be teaching is having students construct a graph using real objects and then pictures in order to answer questions. We would implement this in late September/early October using Class2Class. It would be fun for each of our Kindergarten classes to construct individual graphs using m&m candies, eventually compiling the data together. Then we could compare to classes outside of Rummel Creek. I have a friend that teaches kindergarten in Austin. I'm excited to tell her about this opportunity. She could get her team on board, as well.
I would also like to Skype with another kindergarten classroom about our cylinder gardening we do each year, as well as Skype with the master gardener that will be helping us with this project next year. We could even use google spreadsheets to collect data on our plants that are growing. The possibilities to reach out of our classroom using online digital projects are pretty endless.

Tool #6 Using Web Tools to Promote Discussion

2011-06-12T16:26:00.000-07:00

I had a little trouble imagining ways to use these tools in a kindergarten classroom. However, I do like the idea of Todays Meet. I think students that might not feel comfortable responding in class, could respond via this tool. I think advanced kinder students could "chat" with each other on a specific topic using this, as well. It would take a lot of teacher direction but it could be done.
Probably the tool I could imagine us using the most is Skype. I think the experts we could connect with are endless....whether we are studying insects, plants, workers in our community, etc. there are many people that could give my students knowledge. It would show my students the world beyond our classroom.
Listen.
What do you think will happen to Jack and Annie as they search for the treasure?
Mrs.Timmreck at 6:25 PM, 12 Jun 2011 via web
Today will be a wonderful day.
Mrs.Timmreck at 6:23 PM, 12 Jun 2011 via web
Good morning, friends!
Mrs.Timmreck at 6:23 PM, 12 Jun 2011 via web
today.io/26dq transcript | projector
Talk.
What's your name?

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Tool #5

2011-06-11T21:32:00.000-07:00

The first web tools I tried were ABCya and Wordle. I thought it would be neat for my students to use these tools in the classroom at a literacy station. We are often generating lists in the classroom...lists of word family words, lists of things that are a certain color, etc. So, I tried to make an example of how we could use ABCya to make a text picture of things that are a certain color and a Worldle of a specific word family.

Next, I made an account with Storybirds. I think this would be a great way for my students to create their own stories. Instead of relying on paper and pencil, my students could use art to be inspired. I think this might help my students that don't always have ideas for their own writing. More advanced students could collaborate on a story together. This would be another great literacy station.

11 Tools #4

2011-06-07T21:19:00.000-07:00

I found this tool to be pretty user friendly. I could see a million ways to use this at school. I would love to use google docs with my team...we could collaborate on our newsletters and other documents we send to parents prior to doing so. We could also use the forms to make decisions as a team quickly. I think the kids would love to "vote" using the forms. I shared a newsletter in progress using google docs and I created a survey to find out what is your favorite nursery rhyme and fairy tale.

11 Tools #3

2011-06-07T09:53:00.000-07:00

I was able to embed a video. I liked school tube and Blinkx because I could look at lots of videos pretty quickly. I learned about copyright and fair use. I learned that as long as I am in a secure location, I am good to go. Also, as long as I don't copy entire works, I am okay. I am excited to add pictures and videos to my flipcharts.

Humpty Dumpty

2011-06-07T09:25:00.000-07:00

Humpty Dumpty

11 Tools #2

2011-06-07T08:42:00.000-07:00

Well, I am feeling a little better about this! I was able to view other blogs and comment...hooray! I like the way some people put ideas for me to use in the classroom. Kat Smith found great ideas for a document camera. I am excited to try them! I think building an online community will be great!

My Experience

2011-06-03T08:23:00.000-07:00

Hello! My name is Lou Ann Timmreck and I teach at Rummel Creek Elementary. I am in a class this summer called 11 Tools. The first "tool" is creating a blog, which I have previously done. I am still learning, though!

Graduation 05\27\2010 (62 photos), by theresa trevino

2010-05-28T04:14:00.001-07:00

I'd like to share my Snapfish photos with you. Once you have checked out my photos you can order prints and upload your own photos to share.
Click here to view photos

Can technology help child obesity?

2010-05-20T11:53:00.001-07:00

Heart group backs video games in obesity campaign

2010-05-18T06:27:00.000-07:00

By JOEL SCHECTMAN AP Business Writer © 2010 The Associated Press
May 17, 2010, 5:42PM
NEW YORK — Talk about strange bedfellows. The American Heart Association and Nintendo Co. are teaming up to promote the popular Wii video game console, as the health advocacy group concedes that its campaign for traditional exercise isn't working.
The surprising partnership, announced Monday, comes amid growing concern about obesity among kids who spend much of their time watching television and playing video games.
Nintendo will be able to brand its Wii products with the AHA's iconic heart logo to let consumers know that the organization considers the items a healthy choice. Nintendo will donate $1.5 million to the Dallas-based AHA as part of the partnership.
"We can keep beating the drum on traditional exercise and make small changes to the obesity epidemic, or we can try something that is really provocative and new," Clyde Yancy, the AHA's president, said in an interview.
Numerous studies show a correlation between obesity and the amount of time children spend with television and video games. Jeffrey Levi, executive director of Trust for America's Health, said the best solution is simply to cut the cord and encourage youths to spend less time in front of screens.
But the AHA said it is endorsing the Wii because it will encourage sedentary Americans to take the first step toward fitness. With 70 percent of Americans doing no regular physical activity at all, the AHA wants to find a way to reach out to people turned off by gyms and traditional sports.
The organization said its studies show that 40 percent of those who don't exercise say that it's not entertaining enough. The AHA says the Wii addresses the fun factor.
The Wii, which has sold more than 30 million consoles across the Americas, comes with a controller that encourages people to physically move as they play. Sports-style games such as baseball and boxing let players move their arms to simulate the pitching of a ball or the throwing of a punch. Nintendo also makes a foot pad accessory, the Wii Fit, that allows players to try dance steps or yoga.
The heart icon covers the Wii console itself along with two of its more active games, Wii Fit Plus and Wii Sports Resort.
Many of the Wii games are less physically demanding. Some puzzle titles, for instance, let players adjust shapes through small twists of the wrist.
Wii players say that the level of physical exertion varies greatly by player.
Maria Lambiris, an 18-year-old illustrations student at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, said the game system recently helped her lose five pounds.
"You really get into it sometimes and you can use your whole body," Lambiris said.
But her classmate Maki Yang, 19, was quick to point out that sometimes it's easier and more fun to cheat.
"You can just do this with your wrist," Yang said while flicking her wrist slightly, "and you do even better in the game."
But while many of the games may not offer the same level of physical activity as traditional sports, they may help get some people started on a healthier lifestyle.
"It is a first step for someone who is entirely sedentary," Yancy said.
Yancy said that once that person becomes motivated, he or she can access a website Nintendo and the AHA are developing to help monitor exercise and diet plans.
Rival game console makers Microsoft Corp. and Sony Corp., cognizant of the Wii's popularity, are also developing motion controllers. Microsoft's Natal, for instance, wouldn't require a physical controller; players would use their bodies to control their video game characters. The AHA said it wasn't currently in discussions with those companies.

Summer Reading Program

2010-05-15T11:48:00.001-07:00

Sign up for the 2010 Summer Reading Program and earn a chance to win an HP mini netbook, board games, books, craft kits, coupons to cool restaurants, and more! This Year's Theme: From Fables to Fantasy!

The Summer Reading Program (SRP) is a free incentive program to encourage kids and teens to read.

The SRP includes many diverse free educational and fun programs including entertainers, storytimes, science activities, crafts and other fun programming for kids and teens up to 18 years of age.

PROGRAM DATES: June 1 - August 1, 2010

HOW TO REGISTER: Early online registration begins
May 1, 2010!
REGISTRATION CONTINUES THROUGH AUGUST 1: Visit any Houston Public Library location or register from your home computer, through August 1.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE:
Read or listen to books, enter book titles or time read on your online reading log either at home or with the help of your librarian, and come to your local Houston Public Library location to pick up your prize at 5, 10 and 20 book level.

The more books you read, the more prizes you are eligible to win. See YOU the summer!

Nutrition Survey

2010-05-12T13:01:00.002-07:00

Parents,
Please take a moment to fill out this brief survey on how www.playnormous.com has impacted your child's life.

Click here to take survey

Shocking News - Childhood Obesity

2010-05-12T13:01:00.001-07:00

Fun Extras!

2010-04-23T11:15:00.000-07:00

Responses to our Cooking Lesson & Eating Healthy

2010-04-23T10:05:00.001-07:00

Parents,
Here are some short video clips that were taken during and after our cooking lesson this last week! Thank you for sharing your child with me - they are just precious!

Garden Writing

2010-04-23T06:49:00.000-07:00

What's On The Menu - Afterthoughts!

2010-04-21T12:26:00.001-07:00

Here is what your child had to say about today's menu:

Jacob: I liked eating the yummy sauce.
Abbas: I liked making dough and putting it in the spaghetti machine.
Noah: I loved my smoothie. It tasted like yogurt!
Elizabeth: Cranking the machine was awesome!
Tara: The smoothie was delicious!
Emma: I was sort of nervous to try the smoothie but it was really yummy.
Emily: i tried something new and my mom will be SO surprised - she will say nothing!
Cooper: Cracking the egg was fantastic.
Austin: I thought I didn't like carrots! I had 2 plates of it!!!
Presley: I like the spaghetti so much!
Mitchell: I like putting yogurt in the smoothie.
Glen: I love the spaghetti sauce - it was fantastic!
Leo: I ate tomatoes in my sauce!
Thomas: I loved the eggplant in the sauce!
Creagon: Did you know that there was eggplant in the sauce? I liked it!
Laurie: I loved making the spaghetti sauce and the smoothie!
Sophie: I like the spaghetti because it had parmesan cheese on it.

Playnormous Shared Writing

2010-04-21T12:13:00.000-07:00

Your child has worked so hard on this website! I can really tell that they are learning so much! Here is our reflection for today:

What's On The Menu?

2010-04-16T13:03:00.001-07:00

On Wednesday, your child will be participating in a cooking lesson that will be filled with a wealth of nutrition. Below, you will find the recipe that we will use. After specials (10:40), your child will be able to go on a picnic and eat the food that he or she helped prepare. If you have a child - sized apron (or several we may borrow), please send it with your child to school. We will make sure they get home. Also, if you would like to prepare an alternate lunch in case they do not like what is being served, please feel free to do so!

Roast Vegetable Sauce (2 Cups)

1 Small Eggplant, cubed
1 Whole Garlic Clove
1 Tomato, cut into 6 wedges
1 Red Bell Pepper
1 Cup Carrots, chopped
2 Tbsp Olive Oil
1/2 Cup Tomato Sauce
Pasta (I used tortellini filled with parmesan cheese from Trader Joes, but any pasta your little one enjoys will work)

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Place the first 6 ingredients in a large glass dish dish or cookie sheet and combine. Make sure all of the vegetables are evenly coated with oil.
3. Bake for 45 minutes.
4. Cool for several minutes.
5. Place the vegetables in a food processor with the tomato sauce and puree until smooth.
6. Toss some of the sauce with pasta and serve.

Smoothie

2 Cups Vanilla Yogurt
1 Cup Fruit juice
3 Bananas
1 Cup Strawberries
Ice

1.Place Yogurt and Juice into the blender.
2.Add fruit and blend. (Frozen fruit may work in place of the ice)
3.Add ice if needed and liquefy using a blender.
4.Drink and enjoy!

Garden Update

2010-04-14T08:18:00.000-07:00

Our class was so excited to grow some yummy vegetables! We started with cylinders of soil, and after our lesson from a master gardener, Mr. Palmie, we were on our way. We planted brocoli plants, green beans, green onions, and radishes. With plenty of sunshine and love, we are starting to see growth. Each day we take time to water the plants and measure their progress. It is fun to write about it in our plant journals, too. Grow, grow, grow little seeds...we are excited to eat you!

Playnormous Games

2010-04-12T12:59:00.000-07:00

Your child learned how to play one of these games today with their learning buddy. We will have another opportunity to play them on Wednesday during our computer lab time. Please don't forget to respond to the questions below by clicking the "comment" button.

PLAYNORMOUS
Games for Health

Parents - just have your child respond to the question as a "comment" to this blog. Thanks so much for your help!!!

1. How are Playnormous games used in your classroom or library?

2. Which one of our health games is your favorite and why?

3. Why should you be selected to win a free Monster iMac?

4. How have Playnormous games impacted you, your classroom, or your library?

I hope everyone received the flyer that went home last week about a free computer give-away for our classroom. This is very exciting because 3 of our SBISD schools have already won! Please have your child play around on this website and respond to what they have learned about being healthy on www.playnormous.com website.

What am I planting?

2010-04-12T06:11:00.000-07:00

Garden

2010-04-12T05:59:00.000-07:00

Plating a garden is fun and easy! Here is what they are learning:

Pictures

2010-04-11T16:46:00.001-07:00

How Are You Peeling?

2010-04-07T11:50:00.000-07:00

I ask this of my kids all the time! After reading this book to the class, I thought it would be an excellent way to incoporate vegetables into our life in a fun way! So, here is the challenge:

Over the weekend, purchase your child's favorite vegetable (or one that you wish they would like) and transform it into a feeling. I've posted a few pictures that the book had in it - so you have a clearer model. If while you are working on this project, have your husband, neighbor or older child take a picture of you and your Kindergartener so that we can show the home - school partnership.

In the meantime, check out this website and see how the book was made:
http://www.teachingbooks.net/Freymann

Information Going Home

2010-04-07T10:18:00.000-07:00

Playnormous iMac Contest

2010-04-07T09:53:00.001-07:00

Calling all parents!

2 of our Rummel Creek teachers have won an iMac computer for their classroom by entering a contest on www.playnormous.com. This website has some wonderful games that help teach your child about food and nutrition and making healthy choices for life!

For the next week or two, your child will be asked to play these games. Then, after they have had a chance to think about what they are learning, we will partner up with some older kids to help post their thoughts to this blog.

I also have some other activities that I will need your help with. They are totally optional - however, they will be photographed and used to make a class book and housed in our school library.

Keep checking back on this blog! In fact, become a follower and see what is going on!

Welcome!

2010-04-07T08:57:00.001-07:00

Welcome to my blog! This next month, we will be using it to help us learn about foods that are nutritious and yummy! Please bookmark this site so that you can find it easily on your computer!