Classroom Pictures with Whole Brain Teaching Style

 Classroom picture time with Whole Brain Teaching has arrived!!  Here is my calendar bulletin board with the 5 rules posted, as well as the No Guff! poster in the bottom left!  You can download the posters for free at http://www.wholebrainteaching.com

Up in the top left hand corner you can see the first Math Power Pix - "pointer counting" ready to go next to my SmartBoard!

Below is my lovely Power Pix Wall of AMAZINGNESS!!!!  I am super pumped to use this baby!  Download Power Pix for Math and Language Arts K-3 for FREE at http://www.wholebrainteaching.com

Here you can see my Genius Ladder.  Get your free printable here.

Now for the Super Improvers Wall.  I debated back and forth on how I was going to implement this.  My partner teacher next door was a great help.  I finally decided that 2 areas in my room would work best.  The first area is right at the front of my room beside the SmartBoard and in front of all the desks.  Here I posted all of the Super Improver recording sheets for easy access by me.  So far it has worked like a charm!!!  Incidentally, it has replaced my Practice Cards Chart for those of you that remember the Practice Cards.  When I was in Mattawa I asked Chris about the Practice Cards and he said he wants to focus on the Scoreboard and the Super Improvers Wall as the main management system.  It hasn't let me down.  My students were so pleased when I acknowledged them individually for improving academics and behaviour.

This bulletin board is closer to the floor.  I decided to leave it up for my students to post their recording sheets once they have passed a level.  This is kind of like a wall of fame!  Get your free printable here!

Enjoy my friends!  Please let me know what you think!!!  Any questions are welcome!!!

Classroom Decorating Update...a Tip...AND a Freebie!

I have been hard at work in my classroom this week.  My Power Pix Wall is up and so is my Super Improvers Wall! All the laminating I did at home came to school and went up around the room.  It is really beginning to come together!  I am excited for the big reveal.  I need a couple more days though so be ready:)

Now for your tip!!!  So I was in the process of creating Reagan's freebie Oh Good Graph!

I was searching around my room of a circle large enough to trace to create the pie chart and the Venn diagrams.  All of the sudden it came to me what would be perfect!

Dan, da, da, dah!!  The garbage can worked as a perfect tracer and both graphs were made and up on the wall in no time FLAT!!!  I can't wait to use these activities as getting to know you activities!!

Anywho, as I was putting together my classroom I decided to update and beautify my 5 little Self-Assessment posters I use for my students to compare their work to and decide whether or not it is finished.  I have them bring their work up and compare it to each poster until they find a match.   I ask them to explain their choice to me using a Because Clapper.  

Initially, I guide them through the process I tell them if I agree.  If it is a WOW! (WOW!'s usually receive Super Improver Stars) or a Good! then they are finished! If it is a Working on it!, etc. then they go back at erase or add to it!  It works quite well and it helps to increase the quality of the work that is handed in!

I ended up adding a couple of My Writing and My Colouring/Coloring Stoplight checklists along with a 3 Star Sentence anchor chart.  

I have my students complete these after writing or colouring assignments.  

Students take out a red, green, and a yellow crayon.  For each item on the list they colour in the corresponding circle depending on what level they have reached.  Red = Working on it!  Yellow = Good! and Green = WOW!  Then I come around and if I agree I circle my choice at the bottom of the list.  Once again, if they get a WOW! they may receive a Super Improver Star or whatever reward system you use in your classroom.  I find these little dandies quite effective!  Often I have them glue them to the back of the work for easy access when looking marking their work!  Enjoy and let me know what you think!!!

Power Pix Wall Kit Owl Theme and Fun Bursts!!

As promised here is the Power Pix Owl Theme Wall Kit!  Click on the picture for your freebie copy!  Be sure to download your Super Improvers Owl Theme Wall Kit to match!!

Also, I have meaning to talk about a cutting edge WBT technology called the Fun Burst!!!  I just heard about this from Chris Biffle himself a free Tuesday Webcast and thought I would share!  Fun Bursts are multi-functional - they help divide up lessons, increase fun, and help to practice rules and engagement!

In the beginning, I would definitely practice having a more serious and controlled Fun Burst - as the year progressed I would graduate to the more exciting and energizing Fun Burst.  Lay those safety guidelines at the beginning of the year and the rest will be tons of fun!!  Happy teaching blog friends!

Power Pix Wall Kit - Froggy Themed - Whole Brain Teaching

Once again I've been on a creative kick as I plan my classroom set up this year.  What next but an update to my Power Pix Wall!!  So here are all the fixings for your own Froggy Themed Wall.  Click on the picture below for your free download.  Make sure to download your very own Super Improvers Wall Kit - Froggy Themed to match!

I couldn't decide which font I liked better so here is a second option using the Oh Photo Shoot! font courtesy of Kevin and Amanda!!

Which font do you prefer!!  Leave me a comment and I will be sure to use it for my next Power Pix Wall Owl Themed Kit!!!