Master Class - 100% Student Engagement

      Mirrors are a great way to foster 100% student engagement!  I am still a rookie at this but I am improving. The rookie level is when the teacher says "Mirror words" and lift your hands and gesture as you speak. The students respond by following the teacher's gestures and repeating the teacher's words.  The teacher needs to speak slowly and in small chucks so that the students can repeat the words and gestures. The mastery challenge for this level is to use mirror words as least 10 times per day.  Teachers can vary mirror words by speaking slowly or quickly, in a loud or quiet voice. Coach B. has some new ideas for mirrors including tiny mirrors, rabbit fast mirrors and turtle slow mirrors.  
     Another new thing is echo mirror leaders. The teacher will pick several kids to be echo leaders and then when a teacher uses mirror words, the whole class repeats mirror words and then the teacher puts her hand to her ear and the echo leader repeats it like an echo.
    The next level for teachers is the pro level. On this level, the teacher says "Silent mirrors! ummm" and putting her finger to her lips. Students mirror the gestures but not the words. The mastery challenge is for a teacher to alternate mirror words and silent mirrors 10 times per day. One variation is mirror volunteers - anyone who wants to can stand and demonstrate great mirrors with big gestures.
   Of course, we all have the all star level for teachers! The teacher says "Magic Mirror!" and puts her hands behind her back. The students say "Magic mirrors - OOHH!!" and lift their hands and wiggle their fingers. Students say your words and create their own gestures. The mastery challenge is to use all three levels at least 20 times per day.  Coach B. recommends keeping a tally chart to keep track of how many times you do each one.  Here is the Whole Brain Teaching website to learn about mirrors and other techniques. The webcast on mirrors is webcast 582 - 100% student engagement!  Another step closer to teaching heaven.  
    I still need more work on mirrors! How do you engage your class when you are teaching?