Rule #2: Raise your hand for permission to speak!

This year, it is no secret that my crew of squirrels loves to chat.  I love to hear all of their stories!!  Sometimes Often, they like to tell them to me all at the same time which is where Whole Brain Teaching's Rule #2: Raise your hand for permission to speak! comes into play.

Now that I am a Whole Brain Teacher I always remind myself that as I am managing and training my class to create an optimal learning environment - WE are playing a wonderful, exciting, FUN game!!!  This makes me smile and gives me energy!!  Here are some of games I play with my students to help them remember to follow Rule 2:

1. Frequently, at the beginning of the school  year, and as the year progresses, I will occasionally stop the lesson and review how not to follow Rule #2 (I play the part of the Rule 2 breaker and I have a student play me - they LOVE to be the teacher!)  Then, I show them how to follow Rule 2 and we practice.

2. When a student breaks Rule #2, I call out "Rule 2" and the whole class replies, "Raise  your hand for permission to speak" thereby, giving the rule breaker a gentle reminder to remember to raise a quiet hand before calling out.  Smilies are awarded on the Scoreboard for group participation in the response.

3.  Often, I will use the silent hand gesture for Rule 2 by holding up two fingers.  This works well when I am in the middle of speaking, during assemblies/performances, or any other time students need a quiet visual reminder.

4.  Now this is the kicker.  I got this idea from the wonderful, talented Andrea Schindler, and it will work for any of the 5 Rules, but lets look at how it would work to help students remember to follow Rule #2.  Purchase a kitchen timer - I got 2 for cheap at the dollar store.  

Tell your class that for the week we will be working on following Rule #2.  If they can follow Rule 2 for X amount of time (I start out with 2 minutes and increase as the week goes on) they can earn a star (I section off part of my Scoreboard for stars.)  If they have 10 stars by Friday they have the opportunity to win something extra fun!  After brainstorming some possible ideas (slurpees for everyone - lol - not this early in the year, donuts for all - what can I say - my kids think big!), someone came up with a dance party.  I changed it ever so slightly to a 1 minute dance party in class with some fun music - my kids were pumped!  They love a good party!  Well, Show and Share was never so quiet that week - not even a whisper was heard.  Although we didn't earn 10 stars (we got 8) my kids are excited to try and earn 10 next week!  Oh yeah!

5. Last, but definitely not least, the Super Improvers Wall makes its grand entrance to recognize all of the students who are doing a FANTASTIC job of following Rule #2.  They earn stars left, right and centre, especially if they are sitting next to someone who needs a reminder.  When those darlings remember to follow Rule #2 they ALSO receive hoards of Super Improver stars!!!

Hope these tips are helpful friends!  I'd love to hear any more ideas that you may use in your classroom!!

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!!!

Mattawa Conference and Critical Thinking with the Because Clapper and the Pity Pat

So I am finally getting around to blogging about my amazing Whole Brain Teaching conference in Mattawa, WA!!  My partner teacher and I traveled the 6 hours down to Mattawa on Tuesday night of last week!  I have to say we were awed by the beautiful scenery!!!  It was gorgeous weather - we were very lucky! OK - I can see the exclamation marks are getting out of control so I will tone it down:)

We pulled into Mattawa - located right next to the beautiful Columbia River and full of orchards - around 7:30.  Can I just say that they have the most beautiful high school. It was like a beacon of light for us - we had reached our destination.

After some inquiries, the lovely people of Mattawa directed us to some camp sites just down the road in Desert Aire.  We set up our tent in quite the wind storm but I was so proud of my little tent - it can stand up to anything!  Then we got some great food and had a lovely chat at R Place with some locals/vacationers.

We got up early the next day, had a coffee, took down the tent and made our way back to Mattawa just in time for the conference.  We walked into the school and we were greeted by the most beautiful atrium that any school could possibly ask for.  Then, we made our way to the auditorium only to find an amazing group of gifted and driven teachers - outside the box thinkers!  The student population, I am told, is completely ESL - lots of Spanish speaking families work on the orchards.  They have a challenge!!  

We went in and I found Chris.  It was so great to see him!!  He told me to sit up front and to be prepared for to teach some lessons on the fly.  I was his Vanna White for awhile and then he had me review the Core 4: Class/Yes!, Mirror, Scoreboard, and Teach/OK!  for the group.  Later on I taught everyone the 5 Rules Canadian style:)  Hey - I learned the rules by watching the videos - it is a little different in 3D, in person:).  

When Chris began explaining the critical thinking part of the conference I was so excited.  He is taking it past the Brain Toys - WBT is entering a new level of critical thinking!  First, Chris talked about the Because Clapper as being the foundation of critical thinking.  

If students can explain why their ideas are valid then they are well on their way to reasoning critically.  Next, Chris discussed the difference between weak evidence and strong evidence.  He said, "We want our students to be able to reason about their own reasoning."

Now, there is the Because Clapper and the Pitty Pat - use 2 fingers instead of your whole hand to weakly pat your other hand.

Because Clapper = Strong Evidence

Pity Pat Because = Weak Evidence

During Oral Writing, have your students come up with ideas regarding a certain topic.  For example, you might be doing a unit on bears.  

1. First, using the Teach/OK!, have your students come up with opinions/ideas about bears.

Bears are strong animals.

2. Next, have students create example sentences (Example Poppers) about bears using the Pitty Pat Because followed by weak evidence to back it up.  

Bears are strong animals because (Pity Pat) they are big.

3. Make sure to have them explain to their neighbour why "they are big" is weak evidence.  For example:

"They are big" is weak evidence because lots of people are big - that does not mean they are strong.  Also, "big" is a weak example as to why bears are strong.  There is better information to back that idea up.

4. Then, have students create sentences about bears using the Because Clapper followed by strong evidence to back it up.

Bears are strong animals because they travel long distances in the mountains.

Bears are strong animals because they climb trees.

5.  Make sure to have them explain to their neighbour why "they travel long distances in the mountains" and "they climb trees" are both strong pieces of evidence.  For example:

"They travel long distances in the mountains" and "they climb trees" provides specific activities bears often do that would require great strength to achieve.

At the conference, Chris had us tag team back and forth providing weak and strong evidence for various ideas.  It was challenging and my brain was tired but I know if I set the bar high my students will reach it!  Also, it made me really excited about this coming school year.  No more sentences like - " I like school because it is fun!" or "Penguins are the best because they are cute!"  My students deserve quality education and quality critical thinking is a HUGE part of that!!  Their writing quality is going to go through the roof! Thanks Whole Brain Teaching!!!

We left Mattawa feeling filled to the brim with new ideas, amazing food (we ate lunch at La Popular - delicious Mexican food - yum!), and inspiration for a new school year.

P.S.  I made that Power Pix Wall Owl theme freebie with the Oh Photo Shoot! font:) Hope you enjoy!  Click on the picture below for your free copy!

Genius Ladder Update!

I am updating my Genius Ladder - I just added posts for the ladder!  Click on the picture below for your free update!!

Whole Brain Teaching Wacky Star Fun Button Freebie

My last little project before I start heading back into school to get my classroom ready for September!  My kiddos loved this little guy so here is an easy to print and laminate button for your student enjoyment!!!  Lots of laughs included!!  Click on the button for your free download and don't forget - if you press the Wacky Star Fun Button you get to act like a crazy, wacky animal for 10 whole seconds - GO!!!

Whole Brain Teaching Super Improvers Wall Kit - Ocean Themed

I have really enjoyed the Tuesday evening enthusiasm during the WBT webcasts!!  Love talking and chatting with all of you teachers out there!!  It is so neat to have a cool community!

I have been blown away from the response to my Super Improvers Owl Themed Wall Kit!  I am so glad you are finding it useful!  I got inspired and decided to try another one so here is an Ocean Themed Super Improvers Wall Kit freebie!  Instructions are included!

Click on the picture above if you would like a free copy!  Also, check out my Super Improvers Wall Froggy Themed Wall Kit!  Click on the picture below!

Super Improvers Wall Kit - Owl Theme Freebie

I hope you are all enjoying the summer so far!  I have been busy going to music festivals, Zumba class, salsa dancing, and the beach.  Today is kind of cloudy so I thought I would take the opportunity to share my newest Super Improvers Wall Kit.  One of my blog followers requested an Owl Themed Kit and I got inspired!  So here it is!!!

Click on the picture above for your free copy!!  Thanks and happy Whole Brain Teaching!!!!

Also, check out my other two Super Improvers Wall Kits by clicking on the picture below!

Free Webcast Tonight!!

Excited about Whole Brain Teaching and want to learn more?  Unsure of how to start Whole Brain Teaching in your classroom?  Join some other Whole Brain Teacher for a chat  and pick their brains about those nagging questions or quandries you might have.

"How do you start Whole Brain Teaching?"

Join the growing community of Wibbeteers!

Meet, greet and learn the first steps for starting WBT! 

Tune in to this website Tuesday, July 17, for a free, live webcast

5 PM Western, 6 PM Mountain, 7 PM Central, 8 PM Eastern 

Red/Green Marker Writing

I never teach my pupils. I only attempt to provide the conditions in which they can learn.   Albert Einstein (1879 - 1955)

Oh my goodness, I nearly fell off my chair while I was watching last weeks webcast on the Whole Brain Teaching website.  Red/Green Marker writing is so fabulous I am a tad bit envious I didn't think of it myself:)  Still, as part of the WBT team we can definitely celebrate in the genius of it!!!

As a grade one teacher, I have always struggled to teach writing.  Being an English major in university, I always want my students to do more so I set the bar high!  Every year, it overwhelms some of my little sweethearts and no WONDER!!  Insert nagging voice here: "Don't forget your spaces, periods, capital letter rules, I by itself, touching the lines, spelling correctly, making sense, using correct punctuation, using a variety of sentence starters, never starting a sentence with and or because, word choice, voice, organization, etc., etc., etc....." I could go on and on and on!  It is so difficult to correct a student  because they usually hear the first comment and promptly forget the rest - and I don't blame them since I often do the same at staff meetings:) Hopefully, my principal isn't reading this!

Often during a writing activity, I would make one or two positive comments to my students about their writing and point out one or two areas to work on.  The problem with this method is that 1) it takes too long AND 2) it requires too many words - a lot of verbosity from me and too many directives for my little ones. Furthermore, too many criticisms can deflate some of the little egos of my students which is no good - so, what to do, what to do....hmmmmm....

Enter the fabulous, Whole Brain Teaching method, master of simplicity and all that is wonderful in teaching....wait for it....Red/Green Marker Writing!!!!

Step 1: Obtain a red marker and a green marker.

Step 2: Assign a time limit for writing.  For Grade 1, in September, I am going to start with 10 minutes and see how it goes.  My first assignment is usually finishing a sentence that I give them so that should be enough time.

Step 3: Establish ONE writing objective for that assignment, either with a mini-lesson or simply as a expectation for that assignment.  The Power Pix work wonderfully for this part!!  You may want to make a class objective - example, spaces between words, or, neatness.  You may want to differentiate for your advanced students by assigning them objectives, specific to each students depending on their skill base.  As you students advance in their knowledge of writing, you might have them write down their own chosen objective for that writing assignment!  Oh, tears of joy are overflowing, because I can't wait for my students to assess their own skills!!!  Imagine the success they will feel when they meet the goal that THEY chose for themselves!!  Can we say ownership!!!!!!

Step 4: OK, now here is where the blessed simplicity of the whole system comes into play.  While students are writing, walk around with your red and green marker.  For each student, put one green dot by writing that meets the objective.  Put one red dot by writing that could be improved.  Even your fabulous writers can improve their writing, so each student receives one green dot and one red dot per page of writing - that's it!!  No talking, no listing numerous writing rules broken - one positive, one area to improve on, and that is it!!  LOVE!!!!!!!!  I cannot WAIT to try this out!!!

Now, you may want to keep the same objective for many days/weeks, etc. until the entire class has mastered it, you may want to move onto another one if the entire class has mastered the objective consistently, or you may want to begin to differentiate objectives depending on the skills of each student.  It is up to you because it is your classroom:)  Did you like the Because Clapper?:)

Step 5: Teach another objective and then after a period of time and assessment, scaffold the two objectives.  This time as you walk around handing out red and green dots, look for both objectives to be met.  I am curious to see how this will work for me and for my students.  I am tempted, for simplicity sake, to stick with one objective, although still reminding my students that I expect them to continue to practice the writing skill, previously met.

Step 6: Reward writing improvements with the Super Improvers Wall!  During the webcast, Coach B pointed out that even if a few of your strong students are already, for example, spacing their words correctly, have them focus on consistently making the same amount of space between each word.  All students have room for improvement!

Well, my blogging buddies, September, here I come with my red marker and my green marker!!  Those little tykes won't know what hit them - they will be in love with writing and writing will be in love with them!

Classroom Visitor!!!!

This last Friday I had the pleasure of a visit from Jag, a fellow Canadian and Grade 1 teacher from a school in Abbotsford, BC - about 3 hours drive from Kelowna.  Jag had found my blog and she wanted to see my class in action since she and some of the other teachers at her school were using Whole Brain Teaching in their classrooms!  Still, she felt - and I agree - that grade 1 is a whole different story then even grade 2 and 3.  They learn so much - how to read, write, add, subtract, etc. and there is such a range of levels - kids who can read at the beginning of grade one and kids who are just beginning to read!  Jag wanted to see another WBT grade 1 class so she came for a visit.

It was so great to meet her and talk about what each of us do in our classrooms.  It turns out we do A LOT of the same things!!!!  It ended up being the hottest day of June so far - we were all sweating a little in my teeny-tiny classroom (26 kiddies plus 3 adults!!) but it was overall a great day.  My kids were really on, although a bit sluggish because of the muggy heat:)  Jag and I got to talk at lunch and it was fun to share our experiences with Whole Brain Teaching.  Jag had visited Chris Rekstad's classroom so it was neat to hear about her experience.  I told her about my Phoenix conference and all the excitement that went along with it.  She was really sweet and gave me some motivation to go to another conference and to keep blogging.  What really interested me is that she is planning to do her Master's in Whole Brain Teaching and the effects of oral language on writing!!  Oh yeah!!  So excited to read her results!  Hope we meet up again sometime, Jag!  Have a great summer and thanks for the visit!!

New to WBT? Here is how!

When I first began Whole Brain Teaching I didn't have the luxury of going to a conference, even though they are free:)  So I began by using several different resources that WBT has to offer.

1. I began by watching all of the videos on youtube.com - I am primarily a visual learner so I watched them over and over gain, especially Andrea Schindler's Kindergarten video.  Every time I watched it I saw new strategies!

2.  I practiced in the mirror and with my sister.  Basically, I taught a lesson with my sister and she played the role of the student.  This was very helpful as it helped me utilize the words and it allowed me to practice out-loud so I could find the right order and rhythm.  Also, it was a lot of fun for both of us.

3. I read all of the free e-books available on the website.  Yes, it was a lot of reading but the stories and techniques are so good that it went by really fast!!!

4.  I began reading all previous and new posts on the forum.  I found these very helpful and useful for solving problems in the classroom.

5. I began signing up for weekly free webinars with Chris Biffle on Thursday nights.  These particular sessions went through the Big 7 and gave me a clear visual, as well as different variations for using them in the classroom.  Look for future webinars offered by WBT.

6. Then, I logged in to attend the free Livestream chat sessions on Saturday mornings given by Chris Biffle on the Brain Toys.  This was amazing because I could participate with comments and suggestions.  Look for future Livestream sessions offered by WBT.

7.  Finally, I attended the conference in Phoenix.  This really helped to fine tune the little things although I did find out that I was doing most of the techniques correctly!  Oh yeah!

High schoolers do WBT, too?

The new video out from Whole Brain Teaching of Mr. Brown's math class keeps me very happy!!  I frequently have non-believers, especially teachers of the intermediate and highschool years, who don't buy into WBT because they think it can only be successful in primary where the students enjoy upbeat excitement.  "WBT is too uncool for highschool!" they say.  Well here is the proof.  To all you non-believers - it works in highschool, too!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26xQHAASMSU&feature=feedu

Freeze Frame

So today I was teaching a particularly difficult lesson on the 10 more than rule - you add 10 to any number by adding 10 to the 10's place.  This was the first time I had taught the rule using the 5 step lesson recommended by whole brain teaching.  The lesson was rolling along, until we got to the part where I was showing examples of equations that followed the rule.  All of the sudden there were no actions, no gestures, no movement from my students, just silence.  I found myself encouraging gestures and asking for more action.  Slowly, I realized that I didn't need to do that and that it was OK for them not to do gestures because they were concentrating on the examples, intensely.

In fact, upon reflecting on previous observations and the events of today my visual learners concentrate on the Power Pix even while they were teaching their neighbour, often turning their heads to look back a the SmartBoard.

 It was even more interesting when it came time for each student to add 10 to 5 different numbers, individually.  Almost immediately, I had a few ask for help.  I had one student say, "I didn't get it before (this lesson) but now I do!"  Furthermore, I found that I was able to better explain the concept (e.g. 36 + 10 Question: What number is in the 10's place?  Answer: 30 rather than 3.  Now count by tens - what number comes after 30?  Answer: 40  Now, using this information, as well as the number in the 1's place what is 36 + 10?)  Answer: 46)

I'm already planning to do the same lesson again tomorrow, maybe with a few different examples - going for 100% student mastery of the concept - oh yeah!!  Thanks WBT for catering to all different learning styles!

Repetition, repetition, repetition...

Another teacher came to see my class yesterday and she is totally on board with WBT!  Today she tried it out - at every break she came to gush about everything she loves about it.  It is very exciting.  What I like about it is that now when I am on supervision at lunch in her classroom all I have to say is "Class" to get their attention!  Once everyone is on board the continuity at our school will be through the roof!  Oh yeah!!  Better for all students and teachers? - I think yes!!!

More importantly, I realized again how vital teaching a lesson more than once is to learning.  When that same teacher came to observe I decided to do a lesson I had done twice before - reviewing the less than/more than rule.  Low and behold, I had about 90% of my kids catching on and using the less than/more than sign correctly.  I would say that this is at least 15% more than last time I taught the lesson.  I would attribute this to my increased knowledge and familiarity with the lesson, as well as my students familiarity with the concept.  Repetition is the key my friends!!

Super Speed 100 is still a hit.  My kids are even begging me to do it during their spare time!!!!  Another game that we have been playing lately and that my students BEG to play is Corners.  I decided to do a variation one day and now it is similar to Mind Soccer.  The basic rules of the game are as follows: I stand in the middle of the room and count down from 10 with my eyes closed.  All students find a corner to stand in. (If they are in between corners when I open my eyes they are automatically out!)  I turn around and point to a corner and then open my eyes.  In the regular game of Corners all those students in that corner would be out (go back to their seats, go for recess, be dismissed, etc.)  I now call it Super Corners.  Every one in the corner I point to must answer a question of my choosing (spell a word, answer a math fact, give a definition, etc.)  We play until there is one person left in the game.  Often everyone is still playing and then everyone wins.  My students LOVE this game!  (In the gym, I call it Super Dooper Corners:)

WBT exhausting?

Many people, fellow teachers, family, anyone who has seen WBT in action, ask if I am exhausted after a whole day of high energy:)

If I'm being honest...I am still tired some days but I am so HAPPY!  The relief I feel that I have a behaviour plan that works is so satisfying and comforting.  There are steps to follow and a Plan B if Plan A doesn't work.  My students are engaged, involved and excited about school and learning.  My stress level is WAY lower.  We laugh more as a class and we play all day as we learn.

To sum up, I would say I use less energy with WBT than I did previously due to the worrying and, yes, frustration I would experience on those days when my class was especially energetic.  Now, their energy is put into our learning.  What more could I ask for?

P.S. When I am super tired, my student leaders run the classroom!  Can I get an OH YEAH for student leadership!!