So...wanna hear something new? Beg me!

So...is it hard to get your kids interested?  I ask my kids to beg me for the new info I'm wanting to share that day...and voila!  They can't get it fast enough.  When I act as if I'm needing to tell them something, but I just don't know if I should or not...I say, "Go ahead.  Beg me."  There is not one student who is not begging.  And...when I give in, I have all eyes on me!

So...did I say I couldn't tell you all about your brain?  It takes about 10 minutes for this group of first graders to explain it to us!  Check it out, if you would like to see WBT in action! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDJtuNsYsdY

So...did I say I like using WBT?  My family tells me they think I'm having more fun with it than the kids.  I don't know.  But I can tell you that it is fun to be having so much fun teaching!  Have a great week!

Clap! Clap! Teach!

Visually observe.  Large Gestures.  Verbally explain.  More large gestures.  Although I can not quote the scientific explanations about how the brain works, you can refer to the Whole Brain Teaching website for those.  What I can speak about is how it works in my classroom.  And, did I say it works well for me?  It does.  I love teaching with the WBT methods. 

The clap, clap, teach (as I'm calling it here), is simply using the large gestures to teach, having students repeat what you are doing with those large gestures and say what you say.  I clap twice.  Put my hands open in front of me and say, "Teach!"  They clap twice, put their open hands out in front of them and say, "Okay!"  The students turn toward a buddy, and "teach" it, using the same gestures and words I used with the whole class.  This is a simple explanation, for what is a simple strategy.  It can be adapted to any content.  I viewed it in use in Kindergarten through college classes.  "Mirrors with words" are what the students "do" in the WBT world when they are mimicking my movements and are repeating what I say.  There are many, many WBT videos to view this in action.  I hope you enjoy them as much as me!

Ten Finger Woo-hoo

A child answers a question correctly, makes a smart choice, improves, or builds stamina, etc., and the class wiggles all ten fingers toward the deserving student, shouting, "Woo-hooooo!" 

Lovin' yet another of the Whole Brain Teaching (WBT) strategies.  The best of the best always serves multiple purposes.  This WBT tool is no exception.

Beyond all the fun, eager participation, and quick, effective teaching that is common to WBT strategies, here are other great reasons I use it...

First, the recognition is all a student needs to feel positive about his/her effort.  Second, giving the recognition reinforces to fellow classmates everyone's contributions, successes, and importance to our "clubhouse," building friendships.  Third, they reinforce academics.  Thank you, Whole Brain Teaching! 

Extentions:  Twelve finger woo-hoo:  ten fingers while shouting, "Woo-hoo!"  Point one finger; shout, "Woo!"  Now two fingers, then, "Woo!"  Everyone says, "Because a ten and two ones make 12."  

                   70 finger woo hoo:  wiggle all ten fingers, seven times, accompanied with, "Woo!  Woo!  Woo!  Woo!  Woo!  Woo!  Woo!" while I track 7 times.  "...because 7 tens make 70."  
                   The rolling woo-hoo:  swinging arms around in the air.  

Have fun with it and create your own variations!

Pick me! Pick me!

  How it works...
I ask a question.  Lots of hands are in the air.  I say, "Blow it in your hand."  

  What you will see...
Hands go down.  Fists are formed in front of  their mouths; they are blowing air into their fist.  (kinda like warming your hands on a snowy adventure)  I call, "Release!" Hands open and an explosion of (mostly) the correct answer is heard. 

  Why I like it...
1.  Participation.  It gives all students an opportunity to participate.  2.  Think time.  It gives all students a wait and think time until I release them.  3.  Motivation.  Everyone is eager to figure out the answer so they can share in the "moment."  4.  Simplicity.  It's simple to use and beneficial to the learning environment.  

Whole Brain Teaching Adventures

Here's the latest on my Whole Brain Teaching adventures...

I downloaded the practice card information from www.wholebrainteaching.com.  This requires sharing with 10 of my friends/colleagues when I download an item from the website.  I am considering this blog as my 10 friends, since our school website is currently down.  Hoping that's okay!

The practice cards will be specific to students, not the entire class.  If a student is breaking a rule (see previous post), the practice card is placed in his/her pocket.  At break, the student practices that rule for two minutes.  I am looking forward to this new level.  I am getting the practice cards laminated.  Hopefully I get to use them sometime this week.  I have already discussed the practice cards, but am waiting to use them.

Also, we have great success with "Class/Yes".  I have been amazed at how well I can get their attention by simply calling "Class." They respond "Yes" immediately and I have all eyes on me.  How much fun!!!  Who knew there was something better out there than ringing the bell?!  Now I do!