I am so excited to be trying out Whole Brain Teaching in my classroom this year! I love it, love it, LOVE it.
Whole Brain Teaching (formerly Power Teaching) incorporates all aspects of the brain when teaching lessons. Students hear, see, speak and "do" the learning.
My first graders picked up right away and responded very well to WBT. I hope to take a short video soon to show some of our routines and our rules!
The WBT approach teaches 5 basic rules. Since I started using this about one and a half weeks into school and had my own rules...I figured out how to mesh them together. It turned out AWESOME~
Rule #1 Be Safe: Walk or sit, don't push or hit
Rule #2 Be Respectful: Raise your hand, Wait your turn, Make your dear teacher happy so we all can learn
Rule #3 Be Responsible: Follow directions quickly, Do your best, Make smart choices for all the rest.
I created my own set of picture cards for the rules, along with the basic commands and responses used in the WBT classroom.
If you know anything about WBT you will recognize the scoreboard and command signs going around my board. I created motions for my own rules and put them to rhyme. The kids learned them right away! I also keep a team scoreboard (but with tally marks, not smileys and frowneys). They work together to earn a team reward on Mondays (usually eating lunch with a friend--we eat in our room). The little trail sign is our "Wrong Way Trail". This is where cards are placed when a student needs more "practice" time. They repeat the rule they were breaking, along with the motions, over and over at recess (within earshot of me) for about 2 minutes.
Please leave a comment if you have questions or are using WBT in your classroom. I'd love to share ideas.
Great Blog, Melissa! I'm going to share this with my First Grade teachers! WBT is an amazing program that is bringing so many dedicated educators together! If you haven't been to a conference yet, you've got to go! Coach B and his staff are incredible presenters! So glad I got to "meet" you!
ReplyDeleteLittle late in replying...during school, it's amazing if I have time to post at all! I'm getting caught up this summer...Thanks for your kind words. I'm so excited about starting on my certification.
DeleteI use WBT in my kindergarten class and absolutely love it. My kiddos get to move, talk, and share but all in productive ways. It has changed the way my classroom operates and I have noticed my kiddos are much more engaged! Let's talk more about WBT! :)
ReplyDeleteJessica
The Littlest Scholars
Yes...it is amazing! I'm getting so excited by blogs and forums...and starting on getting certified!!! I don't want to stop taking time to "network" once school starts again in the fall!
DeleteI am just starting to learn about WBT. I am your newest follower.
ReplyDeleteApril
Wolfelicious
Great!! Glad you're on this fun journey too!
DeleteI also have a camping theme. Do you ever post on Tpt? I would love to get a copy of your camping themed Whole Brain rules. Thanks for posting!
ReplyDeleteHeather Meads
I also have a camping theme. Do you ever post on Tpt? I would love to get a copy of your camping themed Whole Brain rules. Thanks for posting!
ReplyDeleteHeather Meads
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ReplyDeleteI have been doing whole brain teaching this year and students are getting bored with it. Any suggestions? Maybe I am doing it wrong?? They loved it for the first three 9 weeks!
ReplyDeleteThis year has been a hard one for me! I've had a class that doesn't respond as well to the WBT techniques...but I've also had lots of health issues and don't think I've been giving it 100%! I'm a firm believer with WBT (or anything!)-you get what you put into it! Try amping up the enthusiasm and doing shorter fun bursts with the scoreboard! We are on spring break and I am going to try and really get them going for the last quarter!!! I am also going to try showing them videos of previous classes (responding so quick and correctly!!) and other short clips on YouTube to motivate them. Let me know how things work out for you! Don't give up.
DeleteI have never used WBT but am interested in finding out what it is all about. I have used brained-based teaching before but would love some training on this. Can you tell me where I can go to get started?
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