Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Whole Brain Teaching Update

     Coach B. is back! Coach B. is back! I am so happy that Coach B. is back with new webcasts at Whole Brain Teaching website.  On Monday night, he returned with lots and lots of new ideas as well as reminders of other techniques that I can't wait to try out in my classroom.  
     I have been using Class-Yes since school began several weeks ago but watching the webcast, I was reminded of using lots of variety and Coach B. included 20 new variations. I will also start using Class - Boom. Today, I did introduce the all-star attention getters - using content to get their attention.  My class did great! They did so well responding to some math facts and I threw in a brainy, nouns! I told them to be listening for the different Class-Yes variations.  I told them that they were acting like 3rd graders (we are 2nd graders) and they were so proud of themselves.
   One new idea is using echo leaders for Class-Yes for challenging students. The idea is to have a small group of students including a challenging student echo the teacher Class-Yes. Another idea that I love is the leader box.  Tell your challenging student that you will put their name in the leader box if they improve is a certain area. Whenever the teacher wants, she can pull out a name and that student can lead the Class-Yes. I have not started the leader box yet but I plan to in the future.
   Other exciting news, I taped the beginner brainies to their desks. I have been meaning to get to it but like all teachers at the beginning of the year, I have been sooo busy. I think waiting ended up being a good thing. The students were so excited about it and were anxious to share with me the ones that they already know.  I promised that I would teach them the rest soon.
   I want to leave you with one last idea that I love - one minute Brainy Time.  For one minute, have the students orally respond to this sentence stem: "We use Class-Yes because ________________. I love the critical thinking that this inspires in the students.  I will be trying this very soon.
  How do you get your students' attention?  I would love for you to comment below.

  

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