Hello and welcome parents and students! I am looking forward to the upcoming year!

Welcome children, I'm glad you're here.
We're all going to have a wonderful year!
We'll draw and we'll write
We'll sing and we'll play,
We'll paint and we'll build,
And learn new things each day!
-Kim Herbic

A little bit about myself! I am originally from Indianapolis, but now live in Valparaiso with my husband, Jake, and puppy, Bella. I attended Valparaiso University, where I majored in Elementary Education. I also played volleyball for the Crusaders! I love kids and can't wait to one day have a family of my own, but until then I am very excited to share my passion about learning with your children!

I have had experience using both PC and Mac computers I am also proficient with most software, Smartboards, Digital Cameras, Doc Cams, all of which can be very useful items to have in a classroom for it enhances the learning experience!

Here is a powerpoint presentation about me as well as a parent letter to you!

What an exciting time, this year students will be learning to read! We will be working with letters, sounds, sight words, and lots and lots of books!

Here are some links to games that will help students learn in a fun way while at home!

Alphabet Action
Alphabet Zoo
Clifford's Letters
Digby's Word Games
Kidz Page
Language Games

Some assistive technology that may help students with literacy would be to use Simon S.I.O (sound it out)or also using a QuickLink Pen. The Simon is an interactive phonics tool designed to help pratice letter sounds. The QuickLink pen can help ELL students by giving them the ability to scan, store, and read back the texts.

This year students will be practicing and working on expanding their counting skills, making graphs, sequencing and patterns, as well as learning how to count money! With Math being my favorite subject I plan on doing some very exciting activities that I am sure my students will enjoy! Check out the Math Resource link for lots of fun games!

This year we will start out by learning about seasons...here is just a quick preview! Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

Brain Gym- How to enhance student learning through movement

Daily Five- Literacy system to foster reading independence in elementary

Educational Music- Use music to teach content across the curriculum

Lesson Plans- Wide range of elementary lessons

Reading Rockets- Variety of Classroom strategies

Teaching Strategies- provides links to resources with guidance for enhancing teaching and learning by using technologies

Valparaiso University
Tara Diebler