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Showing posts from 2016

Special K Opening Library Day!

So this year I am opening the library with a rap. (Students have now given me the "rap" name Special K. But as I am thinking of all the smart ways I can entice students to the library. I think I will rap once a week about a book or something of that kind going on in the library, each Wednesday. Such fun! Kids love it. I am hoping soon they will make their own and we can have a poetry slam this year! Yo, yo, yo - Listen Up... Joe! Grab your friends And stop on in, Because up its time To slay some Rhymes The library is open… For all who’ve been hopin’ The teacher’s been meetin’ And they want  --You  -- Readin’! To check out the cool books, Stop by before school to take a  look! I know what you're after So...See Mrs. Kistner for the next Chapter! DKistner16

A little Off Time to Read!

So this is the first summer in a long, long time that I have taken weeks off at one time.  I will have to admit it was so nice.  This gave me many hours to read of course so I better catch up on some great books you might want to read soon. This book by Courtney Summers. I would give it 3 Stars. This was a quick read for me, I liked the story and I really could not figure out who had kidnapped the girl.  I did feel the main character was seriously stronger than some people and she had a few head problems, which after reading I understand why she was a little messed up.  She told people that she had been raped by the sheriff's son, but no one believes her.  She distances herself from the town and not until another girl disappears do people, start to think something is really wrong in this town, but who is it if the Sherrif's son is not in town? This is a High School /Adult book only.  I won't have it in my middle school.  I got it on Overdrive from the public library.

iPad Palooza 2016

If you don't move forward you will always be where you are! This was a post recently on Twitter and it made me think.  I need to step it up. I loved learning more from others at iPad Palooza.  But I need to use what I know now and share it with those younger and beginning their journey.  Yes, mine may not always be perfect, but it will help someone and I know I can do that.  I have heard several times...we didn't want to ask you because you are so busy at school.  Well, I need to make it look like I am there for them, to help and be open to questions. It is kind of humbling to say, I need to make some changes and help others. So at iPad Palooza, I learned a lot about iMovie - or having students make movies about their lives.You can teach inferring with those videos. You can teach characterization.  You can teach tone and mood.  I want to have a group of students that I can do this with.   My mind wanders to things I could do with this and books, such as can you make an iMov

Thoughts on George Cuoros Presentation at TCEA 2016

Deeper thoughts after a session with George Couros! Innovative Mindsets  It is more than New & Better Not exactly Change all the time either, It is more of being better at what you do. You have to disrupt what you have BEEN doing, to be better. Disrupt your routine.YOU do it first. Have that meeting without paper if you want a paperless class to actually happen. He quoted: We need to find the best people & find job titles for them, not fit the people into the job titles. Think about this: 1. Show what you are doing in class each day. What if we tweeted one thing?  What would it do to the learning of everyone? 2. Connect with another educator of same grade and learn from each other.   It matters when you are sending it out to the world.   Suddenly you want to get it right.   The freedom is powerful to share. Same thing with kids. Rock Paper Scissors Game  - overcoming obstacles in a room when 500 educators play a game. https://twitter.com/i