Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Whole Brain Teaching Basics

I have decided to give in and check out Whole Brain Teaching.  I have started with watching the Whole Brain Teaching Basics videos.  I absolutely LOVE how engaged the students are and how involved they are.

I first started with the Six Power Teaching techniques.  They are:
1. Class- Yes
This is used to get everyone's attention.  The teacher says class and the students say yes.  However the teacher says class the students have to say yes the same way.  For example, if the teachers sings class in an opera voice, the class  sings yes in an opera voice.  
I think this is a fun way to get the students attention.  I think my kindergarteners would love this, especially using the different ways of saying it.

2.  Teach- Okay
 After the teacher teaches something, the teacher then says teach and the class says okay and the class partners up with someone beside them and teaches them what they just learned.  
I love this!! It just reinforces what is being taught and helps them remember it.

3.  The Scoreboard
 The scoreboard is used to collect tallies.  There is a happy side and a frown side.  The students can earn rewards for having more on the happy side.  A reward may be an extra recess or lunch in the classroom, etc

4.  Micro-lecture
 Using gestures the teacher teaches in small bits.  The students mirrow the gestures the teacher is doing while lecturing.

5.  Hands and Eyes
Another way to get the students to pay attention and focus.  The teacher says hands and eyes and the students repeat but clap their hands together and puts them on their lap and their eyes are on the teacher.  This one is to be used before a big point.

6.  Comprehension Check 
 During the Teach-Okay the teacher walks around to the groups of students an makes sure they understand what has been taught.

I can see how beneficial these techniques can be.  I can't wait to try them in my classroom next year.  Do you use any of these?





31 comments:

  1. I have been wanting to try this! Can't wait to hear more.
    Vickie

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    1. Thanks so much for the comment. I look forward to learning more.

      April

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  2. I have used these ALL for 3 years now and LOVE it! My class atmosphere changed quite a bit. I actually took out the scoreboard this year, but might bring it back next year. Definitely try it!

    Laura
    Kinder Kraziness

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    1. It is great to know that you love it. I will try to for sure.

      April

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  3. Wow! What a coincidence I posted about this yesterday. Maybe we could collaborate? I am making a powerpoint right now to help introduce the routines and procedures of WBT. I will definitely be keeping up with your posts I'm sure you will have some great insight.
    Thank you,
    Heather B.
    Krazy about Kindy

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    1. I would love to collaborate!!! I want to make new posters of the rules. I am trying to decide what clip art to us. I can't wait to read more of your post too.

      April
      Wolfelicious

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  4. I think this way of teaching is pretty neat!! I have also seen videos and think its just amazing how on task and alert the kids are during the lessons:)

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    1. I too think it is pretty neat. I can't wait to learn more.

      April

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  5. I use Class-Okay and I love because my kids love it and it works every time! Being able to change the sound of your voice or the way that you say it keeps it fun and effective for the kids. I've also used Teach-Okay and found it helps with engagement levels.

    ❤- Stephanie
    Falling Into First

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    1. Good to know if works every time. Does it last throughout the whole year?

      April

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    2. For the most part it really does! Every once in awhile I repeat my initial "class class class" in a more stern tone if I still have kids not paying attention and then they quickly respond and get the message. (If it's just 2-3 kids not paying attention I will wait to speak until they do or quickly note I am just waiting on 2 people and they too catch on quick) I also still keep a few other attention getters in the rotation but over all I never cease to be amazed how effective this once remains! My recommendation is to really embrace the piece of this that says you can change the tone when you say it. I change from really loud, whisper voice, really deep, really squeeky, sing-songy, etc. My standard go to that I find I say the most is "Classy class class" and they also enjoy a "Classity- class class class." I think the changes keep them from tuning it out over time.

      ❤- Stephanie
      Falling Into First

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  6. I have heard about this, and have been intrigued since I saw some videos on youtube.
    Thanks for following me, I'm your newest follower.

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  7. Hey April,
    Yea, this is very interesting. I will have to investigate the videos on youtube on this! :-)
    Thanks so much for stopping by my blog today! :-)
    I've added myself to your followers too!
    Michelle
    nomonkeybusinessmichelle.blogspot.com

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    1. Michelle,
      Thanks so much for becoming a follower!

      April

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  8. Our entire school adopted WBT methods last year. Many of our teachers attended one of the seminars. I've implemented the rules, score board and hands/eyes. It worked like a charm in my kdg. room! I am so excited because later in July our district is hosting a mid-west WBT conference for two days! I can't wait to learn more and to be able to implement this next year. =)
    Bobbie

    The Daily Cupcake…A Kindergarten Blog

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    1. How awesome that your whole school adopted WBT! It would be so cool to go to a conference. Enjoy it and come back and share what you have learned, please.

      APril

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  9. I love WBT and cannot wait to implement more of it into my classroom next year. :) THanks for the follow. I am now a follower of you as well. :)

    Have a great night.
    Heidi
    My (Not So) Elementary Life

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    1. Yay, thanks so much for becoming a follower!!

      April

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  10. Thanks for going over the 6 Power Teaching Techiniques! I am really into learning more about WBT & I appreciate your helpful tips! :)

    Lisa
    Learning Is Something to Treasure

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    1. You're welcome!! I too look forward to learning more about it.

      April

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  11. I have been watching the videos on utube. Thinking about trying it next year.

    Check these out:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aaweXw03kQI&feature=player_embedded#%21
    - She has signs and postings about WBT
    http://3rd-grade-thoughts.blogspot.com/2012/05/whole-brain-teaching-posters-with-clip.html


    Tania
    My Second Sense

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    1. I will have to check those out. Thanks for sharing.

      April

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  12. Hello! Now, I'm your newest follower too! :-) Thanks for following me! Also, thanks for sharing this information. I've never been to a workshop on whole brain teaching but I will check out the videos you've shared. Some teachers in my district have received this training and seem to love it.
    ~ Lisa

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  13. I used WBT in my kindergarten class and now I use it in my primary stem lab. I love it! The kids remember everything better with gestures. I use class rules, rule 5 being the most important! Also, hands and eyes, teach/okay, scoreboard, various methods to line up like syllable walk. Now, I am excited to say, I see others using the methods at my school! I am self taught from their website, webinars, and you tube.
    I would love to go to a training!

    Penny

    http://superlativescience.blogspot.com/

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    1. I am glad to hear you used it in your kinder class and that you love it. It makes me want to try it next year.

      April
      Wolfelicious

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  14. You will L O V E LOVE WholeBrainTeaching! Be sure to view the webcasts at http://wholebrainteaching.com/Whole-Brain-Teching/WBT-TV.html and join the next one, usually each Tuesday, where you can chat live with other WBT'ers

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    1. Thanks for the comment. I hope to be there at the next webcasts (as long as I don't forget). :-)

      April
      Wolfelicious

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  15. Hi April! I have heard so much about WBT, but this post really hit home with me and gets me excited. Thanks for swinging by my blog www.flippingforfirstgrade.blogspot.com. I am now following you to keep up with all your great stuff! Keep doin' what you're doin'- I love it!

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  16. I have just found out about Whole Brain Teaching from a Freebie that Tara West posted on Pinterest! I went to the website, and have started to rethink my student engagement levels, which I have thought has been good, but better would be awesome! I love the idea of a Super Improvers Wall too. I am trying to figure out how to incorporate my new 7 clip behavior chart with the Super Improvers wall (and how not to do all the new stuff at once).

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  17. I love whole brain teaching. Did you keep doing it this year? I'm your newest follower!

    Kimberley
    First in Maine

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