Kistner's Kollection

Today was my 17th 'first day' in education. My 11th in public school at Everman I.S.D.  I am learning more and more every day.  The kids make it so much more fun though.  All summer I have been in and out of trainings, with some kids for summer school, and working the last two weeks with adults. Today was better because the KIDS were there. Some were scared and unsure.  Some were angry their sleep was disturbed.  Some were tired of the dress code already, but they were there.  I know in their heads they are saying to themselves, "this year, THIS IS the year I am going to be awesome, I am going to start off on the right foot, and make great grades.  I will be organized.  I will ace every class. Then there are the ones in lines with parents trying to just register and praying they have all the paper work required like at the D.M.V.  The constant paper work that ties us to places and people required to prove something.  I like the kids. I found some cool books today to

1. I might have to add this to my mottoes for teachers:   STOP TALKING, Start Listening. This article about BRAIN research from Kagan is awesome.  It tells teachers, that "Tellin' ain't Teaching" I wish I could YELL it to all teachers. http://www.kaganonline.com/online_magazine/spencers_thinkpad.php 2. Build Relationships First - Get to know them. http://www.bamradionetwork.com/edwords-blog/5-lessons-from-camp They are kids. They need consistency and love. They need to like school, just like Camp. "School is awesome."  I love playing games at the beginning of school to find the leaders, or shy students in the group, get them up, get them moving. Start with music something positive and happy.  Be happy to be there and love your content and they respect that. Make it about them, and their favorite things - then add in the content to those topics.  If they love video games, go online - grab some cheat codes and see if they can tell you how to score h