Master Class - Teach Ok

     When I found Whole Brain Teaching, I was somewhat overwhelmed with all the different pieces and trying to figure out how to make it all work. Coach B. (Chris Biffle) says that teach ok is the unifying piece that ties WBT together. The beginning pattern is to say "Class" and the students respond "Yes." and then to speak briefly. Next, clap twice and say "Teach" and the students respond "OK" and repeat what you say over and over until you tell them to stop.  This pattern is repeated throughout the lesson.  Coach B. reminds teachers that the longer we speak, the more students we lose. This is a good reminder to keep our lessons short.  An important part of teach ok is that the speaker is using big gestures and the listener is mirroring the gestures. This involves both students and it makes it easy for the teacher to see who is not engaged.  
    Coach B. suggests practicing teach ok at least 5 times per day and after each rehearsal pick 5 - 8 kids as a leadership team (with no more than 2 rebels). Stand next to the weakest rebel and then give a short, sample lesson ending with teach - ok. Observe the full turns and gestures. Praise any improvement by leaders and rebels. There is no place for the rebels to hide.
   Teach - Ok is a great way to check for student understanding because it keeps the lesson short and as the teacher walks around, she can listen in to the students' understanding and adjust the lesson as she is teaching.  
  I would love to know how you engage your students in the lesson. Please leave a comment.