Week 1, and done

Week 1 of Whole Brain teaching is done, done, doooooone!  And I must admit, it's working.  My kids are having fun, participating, working hard, even getting along with each other better!

Mostly.  

There are of course, those couple of difficult bunnies who seems to think they won't survive without negative attention.   I (and the rest of the kiddos) feel kinda bad for them.  I am really interested in seeing whether this new style will eventually appeal to them, or if they will continue to fight it tooth and nail.

Anyways.....  SO far this week we:

1.  Reviewed the rules about 1.6 trillion times (see my signs I posted previously).  I had a different student helper come up and help demo the rules and their motions after every recess, special class, morning, and any lull where we got 'off track'.

2.   Enacted the scoreboard.  The students are playing a game every day.  It's me vs. them.  I told them: "You will earn ALL of the points in this game.  Either earn them for me, or earn them for your team.  I'll be happy either way."  So far they have earned their 'reward' each day.  Yay kiddos!

3.  I paired all of the students low-high and mid-mid.  We call them peanut butter and jelly.  I made little cutouts for each student.  Brown splat shapes for the peanut butters, and purple splat shapes for the jellies.  I wrote their names large on the splat, and their partner's name small on the tag.  

4.  We have been doing TONS of repetition with large gestures.  First I teach, then they mirror with gestures.  This is working out VERY well for me after having studies sign language in high school for 4 years- I finally have a use for it!  And the kids LOVE knowing they are learning REAL signs!

5.  After mirroring, the students peer-teach.  I do:  clap-clap "TEACH" or something similar, and they respond: clap-clap "OKAY."  Such a good cue for them to know when to start.  And it gives them the opportunity to talk, but in a very directed manner.

6.  But probably the best thing that came of this so far has been the attention getter "CLASS" - "YES"  I had been having trouble allllllll stinkin' year with this class and attention getters.  We have been through many.  Its like their effectiveness wears off and they just stop responding after a few days.  I think this is a more novel approach because I change the way I say class to them, so they are always having to listen.  Yes, listen!  It's this new crazy thing that all the kids are doing these days (or at least the ones in my class!)  

I can say for the very first time this year, I am looking forward to next week!