http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHmJOsq-u0I
We use Whole Brain Teaching in our classroom. This is my third year using this type of classroom management and instruction. Over the years I have made adjustments to fit my style and philosophy. I originally found it as I was researching ways to keep my large class engaged, AND to keep me from burning out.
I go to youtube.com to learn how to do so many things so I thought why not hunt there. Here is the first video I saw on WBT featuring Chris Biffle: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBeWEgvGm2Y&list=PLF1DCD38BF8902185&index=1
This is a good area to look on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/ChrisBiffle
This is the official website. There is a lot of good stuff, but it is sometimes slower to load than youtube.
http://www.wholebrainteaching.com/index.php/blog/Chris-Biffle.html?fontstyle=f-smaller
Hmmmm! That's cool. I decided to give it a try, but I didn't want to get rid of my tried and true rules. Besides, when you think about what they call rules they are actually procedures. Procedures must be practiced often. If a student continues to have trouble with one, keep that child in from P.E. for a couple of minutes to practice.
These are mine:
If the queen isn't happy, no one is happy!!!
I also remind the students that I am the only one that gets to be silly.
I also remind the students that I am the only one that gets to be silly.
Now for the tools--
Class, Ma'am. This is the attention getter. Chris Biffle teaches it as "Class, Okay." I am an early education, southern teacher. We have to work on manners, so I say, "Class" and the students say, "Ma'am."
Hands and Eyes When the teacher says this, the students turn to the front, clasp their hands, and give you their full attention
Mirrors Kate Bowski can explain this one. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YeAUmiobvmc
Teach/Okay Kate tells us how to do this. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-wFyyrZlCc
Scoreboard!! This is the best management system ever. I was amazed to see that Kate made her board kind of like I did. There are several ways to do scoreboard. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgPUnSI3Luw I have not had to do the more advanced type of scoreboard, but if you have a big class with some behavior issues you may want to use this one. It is a little difficult to hear so turn up your volume. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nG2duAYwSIc
Ten Finger Woo and It's Cool-- These are ways to recognize correct answers and to soften the embarrassment of incorrect answers.
Hands on top, that means STOP! Every now and again the kids go slap-dab crazy for one reason or another. One call out of this phrase stops them in their tracks. Mind you, don't use it too often.
Phone...Shhhh This is one of my own invention. I can't always hear the phone. The kids near it holler this out when it rings. Big help.
Hold up the Peace Sign Another one of my phrases. I am a Baby Boomer. The peace sign is a natural for me. When I announce this phrase, students hold up the peace sign with one hand and put their index finger from the other hand on their lips. As kids see it, they naturally stop talking.
Give your partner, "The Face." I have a truly warped sense of humor. WBT classes work with partners, and sometimes one partner irritates the other by talking, playing, singing, (breathing the same air), etc. I do not enjoy tattlers. I encourage the students to just tell their partner to please stop, but sometimes it doesn't work. Then it is time for "The Face." The student makes a truly dreadful, frustrated face at his/her partner. It gets the message across without making anyone mad. I have also been known to announce, "If your partner is whistling, humming, whispering, etc. please give him/her The Face." It is nice since I do not have to narrow the culprit down.
Partner A and Partner B Be sure to name the partners in some way. It makes it easier for switch, passing out papers, games, etc. If you have an odd number of kids, have one quietly step over or two turn around to form a small group.
I will link in examples of different grade levels using WBT.
Kindergarten http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7s9KX7hqbhY
First Grade http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D668Jl6zuAk
Second Grade --singular nouns http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9T-4-KggA2w
Third Grade http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UF8zHAK0vJM
Fourth Grade --types of sentences http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2DKtRZw63M
4th and 5th grades "The Crazy Professor Reading Game" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2DKtRZw63M
Sixth Grade--4 math operations http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XroJtR9gQc8
"The Genius Ladder" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVtclzFU1UM
This page is a work in progress. I originally developed it for a small workshop with my colleagues at their request. As with every class management and instructional style, we must make it our own. I would love to hear more ideas from others working WBT. I will add to this from time to time.
Sara Robinson----early elementary teacher for 21 years (I think!)
Class, Ma'am. This is the attention getter. Chris Biffle teaches it as "Class, Okay." I am an early education, southern teacher. We have to work on manners, so I say, "Class" and the students say, "Ma'am."
Hands and Eyes When the teacher says this, the students turn to the front, clasp their hands, and give you their full attention
Mirrors Kate Bowski can explain this one. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YeAUmiobvmc
Teach/Okay Kate tells us how to do this. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-wFyyrZlCc
Scoreboard!! This is the best management system ever. I was amazed to see that Kate made her board kind of like I did. There are several ways to do scoreboard. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgPUnSI3Luw I have not had to do the more advanced type of scoreboard, but if you have a big class with some behavior issues you may want to use this one. It is a little difficult to hear so turn up your volume. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nG2duAYwSIc
Ten Finger Woo and It's Cool-- These are ways to recognize correct answers and to soften the embarrassment of incorrect answers.
Hands on top, that means STOP! Every now and again the kids go slap-dab crazy for one reason or another. One call out of this phrase stops them in their tracks. Mind you, don't use it too often.
Phone...Shhhh This is one of my own invention. I can't always hear the phone. The kids near it holler this out when it rings. Big help.
Hold up the Peace Sign Another one of my phrases. I am a Baby Boomer. The peace sign is a natural for me. When I announce this phrase, students hold up the peace sign with one hand and put their index finger from the other hand on their lips. As kids see it, they naturally stop talking.
Give your partner, "The Face." I have a truly warped sense of humor. WBT classes work with partners, and sometimes one partner irritates the other by talking, playing, singing, (breathing the same air), etc. I do not enjoy tattlers. I encourage the students to just tell their partner to please stop, but sometimes it doesn't work. Then it is time for "The Face." The student makes a truly dreadful, frustrated face at his/her partner. It gets the message across without making anyone mad. I have also been known to announce, "If your partner is whistling, humming, whispering, etc. please give him/her The Face." It is nice since I do not have to narrow the culprit down.
Partner A and Partner B Be sure to name the partners in some way. It makes it easier for switch, passing out papers, games, etc. If you have an odd number of kids, have one quietly step over or two turn around to form a small group.
I will link in examples of different grade levels using WBT.
Kindergarten http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7s9KX7hqbhY
First Grade http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D668Jl6zuAk
Second Grade --singular nouns http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9T-4-KggA2w
Third Grade http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UF8zHAK0vJM
Fourth Grade --types of sentences http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2DKtRZw63M
4th and 5th grades "The Crazy Professor Reading Game" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2DKtRZw63M
Sixth Grade--4 math operations http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XroJtR9gQc8
"The Genius Ladder" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVtclzFU1UM
This page is a work in progress. I originally developed it for a small workshop with my colleagues at their request. As with every class management and instructional style, we must make it our own. I would love to hear more ideas from others working WBT. I will add to this from time to time.
Sara Robinson----early elementary teacher for 21 years (I think!)