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What About...Some Ideas that are Out There???!!!

These ideas were all taken from the Whole Brain Teaching Website. I just couldn't resist sharing them with you guys.

What About... Your Thoughts???!!!

So I'm thinking...it would really be helpful to know what you guys would like to read about. I would love to hear from anyone who reads this post... What do you want to see on here??????


Let me know.

Just an Update...

Well, Super Improvers is awesome!!!!!!! I introduced the basic idea in the computer lab while students were taking diagnostic tests and practicing a strategy that they showed a weakness in. I documented their initial score on the test on our board... They were soooo excited to report their new score. I was amazed at how focused they were on their own progress. Every one's score was on the board to be seen, but the focus was on personal improvement and I didn't even announce "Class, Super Improvers is all about beating your own record." It just happened naturally... I love that!

What about...Super Improvers?!!!!!!

So, I was thinking after my last post on "R-E-F-R-E-S-H" - what new aspect do I need to add to my room. Duh...*brain hurting*, I need to incorporate my Super Improver wall. I have a "Wall of Fame" because my room is basketball themed, now it is the "Wall of Fame: Super Improvers". I am really excited about this aspect of WBT because many of my students are low performing and get discouraged about the difficulty of the work. This way, *sitting on the edge of my seat*, I can reward them for beating their own records!!!!

What about... Time to Refresh?!!!!

It is a L-O-N-G year!!!!!!! How am I going to keep going? My students still won't buy in! My scoreboard isn't working! I'm not using ALL of the Whole Brain Teaching techniques...

What about...Keeping the Momentum?!

Hello everyone!!!! I have been out for a little while. I bought a house and things have been crazy. But, what I don't want to do is let the momentum die in my classroom.


Just a couple of reminders: Change up the Scoreboard when you sense students are becoming board with it. Not too often though, it's a long year! Also, add a new Brain Toy once a month. I have used Hand Puppets and the Air White Board.


Mind Soccer coming right up!!!!!!

What about...Whole Brain Teaching Lesson Plans?!!!!!!

This lesson plan was posted to the Whole Brain Teaching Website by Jeff Battle. Thanks Jeff!
Remember that WBT is meant to be flexible based on what you need it to do. The following is a modified version of the 5 Step Model that I use with my 8th graders:

What about...Whole Brain Teaching and "Prove It!", the GAME ?!!!!!!

WBT TV LIVE Broadcast !!!

Professional Development credit available!! 

"Prove It!"

 

What about...Motivation and Whole Brain Teaching???!!!

So…you have a group that just isn’t motivated?!  “Mighty Groan!” Here is a secret… pretending to be excited = excitement. 

What about...Music Groups and Whole Brain Teaching?!!!!

This week I am happy to post that my husband started Whole Brain Teaching!!!! He teaches group guitar classes after school. He has 3 classes and the students LOVED it!!! I am so proud of him for trying something new...

He said that parents were in the first meeting and they were doing WBT too!! If you have not tried it yet, or are having reservations about certain areas of the method, post your concerns. I would love to help.

What about... My First Week!!!???

Well, my first week is over and I couldn't be more pleased. I have introduced the Big 7, Rules, and Hand Puppets as my first Brain Toy!!!! I am waiting another month before I introduce Mind Soccer as a reward for winning the Scoreboard challenge.

The look on my kid's faces when they give me a "one second party" makes my entire day! I can't believe I have found something so simple yet earthshaking for my life as a teacher.  Oh Yeah!!!

Whole Brain Teaching and the Big Five!!!!

These are pics I made to use as I introduce the Big Five! They have really helped me out...

What about....Whole Brain Teaching Resources?!!!!!!!!!!

General Overviews:

What about... My First Day Back Whole Brain Teaching STYLE????!!!!!

OMG!!!!!!! Whole Brain Teaching to the rescue for dull school days! My first day was awsome. I covered the Rules/Routine/Procedures on the first half day and I will continue that for 3 weeks. But... today was my first whole day and I introduced the gestures for the rules as well as -Class/Yes and Mirror.

I found it easier to get them warmed up by using the rules as my opening act. The best part- they were like "Who is this woman and why is she so crazy!" They didn't say it but I could see it on their little faces.

I started by getting them to say "Oh Yeah" with me while we rubbed our hands together. They giggled and it made them more comfortable.

Next I brought in the Rules. After I went through each rule, I paused dramatically and spoke in a calm low voice explaining what was going to happen to those students who were not participating. (There were a couple, I didn't correct it at first, I just noted it out loud that they were not participating. I did it in a playful way). I did this to let everyone notice who it was that wasn't participating.

I introduced the Scoreboard at that time. I connected it to HW from our workbook and explained how much easier it would be to participate in class than do extra HW at home. It worked!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Full participation. So I moved from the Rules into Class/Yes... gave some practice time... then went to Mirror. I will add the next 3 tomorrow.

Well, my class is definitely not dull and I am more happy teaching.

Good luck this year everyone.

The New Year Has Arrived!!!!

Just wanted to add some more pics from my room. Whole Brain Teaching stuff for class coming right up!

Calm Before the Storm...

Well... I have worked all day in my room, then made an appearance at Orientation. Huh... it hasn't really started yet?

What About...Live Whole Brain Teaching Web Broadcast!!!?

Monday, August 8, 2011
5 PM Pacific Standard Time
8 PM Eastern Standard Time
Text in your questions!
www.livestream.com/wholebrainteaching1

What About... WBT and Lesson Plans???

Whole Brain Teaching... 5 Step Lesson Plan

What about...Starting the Year With WBT (Kindergarten)?

So, as the summer is slipping away from us... I am beginning to have those dreams where I'm in class with no rules, procedures, or routines to teach. For some reason I'm in and out of the class and last night I wrote 5 referrals on day 1! Thank the Lord it was just a dream. If you are like me, you are preparing now so those things will not happen. As I was getting ready I came across this list for Kindergarten. This list was provided by Chris Biffle and it originated from Andrea Schindler... Thanks you guys for the help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What about...WBT Brain Toys?

This wonderful list came from Deb Weigel, Co-Director, Whole Brain Teaching  Model Classrooms

The Illustrious Brain Toys


Brain Toys are used to engage the prefrontal, visual, motor and auditory cortex in original thinking, learning’s highest level. The 11 described below add powerful components to reading, math and language development.

Why Looping and Team Teaching Can Save the World!!!!

I love WBT and this method solves several problems in the classroom by using micro- lectures, attention -getters, and just plain FUN! But I am concerned with the structure of our Secondary schools…

What about...Whole Brain Teaching Model Classroom Instructions?

If you’re new to Whole Brain Teaching and would like to set up your classroom WBT Style for next

It’s Dangerous to Teach as You Were Taught…

The Bobo Doll Experiment was performed in 1961 by Albert Bandura, to try and add credibility to his belief that all human behavior was learned, through social imitation and copying, rather than inherited through genetic factors.

While the findings were somewhat inconclusive and focused on aggressive behavior, it does make me think about  the main influence on my teaching style when I started out.

In 3-5 Years... Where Will You Be?

Harry Wong wrote in his book, TheFirst Days of School, that you can have any job in education in the next 3-5 years as well as a quarter raise!

I read this page in his book just before I started teaching. It immediately stirred me to find out how… Well, he went on to justify his claim by noting that only teachers who strive for success will be rewarded.

What about...Whole Brain Teaching in my Classroom?