Whole Brain Rules

What a bust year I had!  I can hardly believe its been nearly a year since my last post.  This summer I created a few new posters for the Whole Brain Rules and have posted them as freebie's over on Teachers Pay Teachers.  So, if you're looking for some cute (did I mention FREE) posters with The Rules, look no further and follow this link!

Some of the choices I have posted are...

Nautical Theme:

Rainbow Brights Theme:

Polka Dot Theme:

Ocean Theme:

Be sure to leave me some feedback if you download any of my poster sets!  Thanks!

The Pink Sharpener is in!

Ummmm,
 Seriously, how cute is the new pink pencil sharpener from Classroom Friendly Supplies?  As if it's not great enough that it gets the BEST pencil point ever, but pink?!  I mean, WOW!  I need this guy!  Even if I did just get mine in the mail, I clearly need a pink one.  Don't you?  In case you're ready to buy, here's a link that will get you 5% off of yours.

But, if you'd like to win one, go to Mrs. Leeby's Blog and enter!  Good luck!

Recovering my old, ugly desk chair - a tutorial!

This week, I saw the best idea on instagram.  Lessons with coffee posted a pic of her desk chair that she recovered using only a screwdriver - and not to turn screws, but to shove fabric...  

So this is a tutorial on how I made my own!

I decided this little puppy

needed a makeover.  

In keeping with my nautical theme and absolute chevron obsession, I chose this pretty little blue and white chevron from Hobby Lobby (love that place).

Unfortunately for me, the bottom piece of my chair required stapling.  Thank goodness I have recovered my dining chairs a bunch of times and already have one.

Unfortunately, I could not find a flat head screwdriver, so I used a butter knife!  LOL, no, don't laugh!

To get started you'll need:  
fabric, about 1 and 1/2- 2 yards
a flathead screwdriver (or butter knife)
possibly a staple gun

1.  Cut your pieces of fabric slightly larger than the top and bottom pieces of your chair.  You can always trim excess as you go along.

2.  Lay the fabric on a table face down and put the seat on top of.  Work your way around the chair pulling tight and stapling.  I recommend fan-folding so you don't end up with a crease on the top (see pic)

3.  For the top piece, put the chair back on the ground.  Using your screwdriver, shove the fabric between the seat and the plastic part on the back.  I did the sides first, then the bottom and then the top.  The bottom was the trickiest.  One problem I had was that not much extra fabric would for between the seat back and the plastic back.  I just went ahead and cut off some of the extra fabric.

Here's the finished product!

This whole process took about 20-25 minutes.  If you try it and post and instagram pic, tag me:  I'd love to see your creations! @adventuresinwholebrainteaching

Another Whole Brain Rules Freebie

I am so excited to have a new partner for this coming school year.  She's pretty great.  She was my ling term sub when I was on maternity leave.  She also was a LTS as my partner at one point in time too.

I was telling her aaaaaalllll about how super-fantastic-amazing WBT is, and she wants to give it a try.  So, as a little help, I made these posters for her classroom.  She is doing a black and white theme with pops of color, so I landed on these cute polka dot backgrounds, threw in some clip art and chalkboards, and VOILA!  So, if you'd like to download them, you can do so on my TPT for free.  If you download them, I ask that you please leave feedback and follow my lil' ol' blog here!

Here's a sneaky-peeky at these posters;

Happy Teaching Friends!

My New Pencil Sharpener

OK, I finally broke down and ordered the amazing pencil sharpener from Classroom Friendly Supplies that EVERYONE and their mama adores.  I am a super-strict, psycho-nazi, dictator, have issues letting kids sharpen their own pencils.  The first step is admitting the problem, yeah?

In the past, I have not allowed kids to sharpen their own pencils (I use a trade-in system), have not allowed colored pencils, have not allowed kids to use anything other than Ticonderoga #2s, among various other rules.  

But, 

    but,

       but....

I am willing to give them another shot.  So, I have ordered this fabulous sharpener.  AND, I am sharing this link that will allow you to get 5% off your order.  Did you know they have free shipping?  I heart free shipping.  Now, go get yourself one!

I ordered the blue one, what's your favorite color?

Monday Made It

Classroom prep is in high gear!  Well, from the comfiest spot on my couch.  I can't actually get into my room right now as it is being used for some very special kiddos who are having a great week at camp... I can't get in for another 10 days, so for now, I am busy whittling away on the computer.  On to what I made!

This post is about my Classroom Jobs.  I know a lot of you have many classroom jobs, or even a job for every kiddo.  I used to do that.  I found the changing of jobs something I forgot to do, and some of the jobs were just titles - 'trash administrator' was one of my jobs.  LOL!!!  I also had kids who didn't like certain jobs and by Friday, they just weren't pulling their wait.  Bring in....  the one person job chart!  Yep, that's right.  Kind of like "one ring to rule them all"....  there is just one job in my class (and they get to pick a helper).  Last year, I had a patriotic theme for the big election, so I had a class president.  Each morning I would announce the president (we went in alphabetical order up and down the class list).  They would pick their VP and do EVERY SINGLE JOB that needed to be done.  Errand to run?  President.  Roll to take up?  President.  Library books to return?  President.  You get the idea.

Since my theme this year is nautical, I will have a captain and first mate.  This system worked out SO well for me last year.  If you're having a tough time with your jobs, try this!

And, here's the poster I made for my new 'jobs chart'!

The big empty space at the top if for their photo.  I take a pic of each kiddo on the first day, print them in B&W and clip them together.  I hang the stack from a pushpin and put one up each day.  I also laminate this poster and write in the boxes the kids' names.  Wipe off each day and start again the next! Anyone else have a creative jobs chart they use?  Feel free to post a link to your blog in the comments!

New 5 Rules Posters - Nautical Style!

The most basic part of Whole Brain Teaching are the 5 Rules.  You don't need any more than these perfect rules.  They cover EVERYTHING!  I really could even just go with #4 & #5, but at least this gives more details to the kiddos.

What are the rules?  They are:

I love that its not just "Follow Directions."  You know that one little special friend who follows directions, but in the slowest manner in the world?  We've got him covered!  When anyone in the class is breaking the rule, you don't call out the rule-breaker, giving them their sought after attention.  Nope.  Just announce to the class "rule #1" and they will parrot back "Follow directions quickly!"  Problem behavior is now in check without having to embarrass someone or give attention to the negative attention-seeker.

Now, there are times where I have the kids working in groups, and I let them know, don't worry about this rule.  But for the most part, I expect them to work quietly, listen quietly, etc.  If someone breaks the rule, again, just say "Rule #2" and the class quickly responds with the rule.  That goes for ALL of the rules.

I didn't use this one until part way through last year.  I had some 'wanderers'.  You know those lovebugs who need a new pencil ever 12 seconds, or a tissue every time you ask a question?  I have silent signals for every reason you want to get up!  I just keep speaking or doing what I'm doing, look them in the eye and nod or shake my head.

"Is that a smart choice?"  You know you say it all the time.  This covers hitting, biting, yelling, etc.  The catch all rule!

If teacher isn't happy, nobody is happy!  I tell the kids that I do a much better job keeping them happy when I'm happy!  For me, humming and whistling are in this category.

To grab a FREE copy of these posters for your classroom or home, visit this link!  This will take you to Teachers Pay Teachers, but don't worry, it's FREE!

By the way, this adorable ClipArt and Paper is from Clementine Digitals.  They have unbelievably adorable papers and clipart!  Visit their Etsy store here!

Summertime prep work

Ah, summertime.  The time when teachers have nothing to do except sip coffee or diet coke and catch up on their soaps.

LOL!

More like the time when teachers are busily and frantically gathering supplies to decorate, searching for new plans to coordinate with new standards, reading books about how to be a better teacher, slaving away in the classroom stapling, cutting, tying and taping!

This summer I have tried to keep to the former.  I am only now getting into the swing of things to prep for the year.

I took my first trip to Hobby Lobby and the Dollar Tree today.  I tried to limit myself to >$20 at each store.  I did quite well.  Here are some things I picked up that I am thinking will be useful...

1.  Baskets - I can never have enough baskets.  Here are 5 sturdy guys with handles.  I plan to use these for word work stations or other center-type materials.  I will add some ribbon to dress them up.  These were $1 each at Dollar Tree.

2.  Stackable plastic bins - for things like post-its, stickers, dye-cuts, letters, numbers, etc.  (I swear I would NEVER put my chocolate stash in here ;-)  Also $1 each at dollar tree.

3.  Mini-trash can guys....  I have no clue what to use these for yet, but I think they'll go with the balls below.  Again, $1 a piece at Dollar Tree.

4. Balls!  I bought 2 bags, with 10 balls each.  They're not bouncy type balls, just plastic.  I may write brain breaks on them, or student names.  Maybe I'll write different categories on them for word work and let the kids make a list of words for that category...  for example: long a words... $1 per bag

5.  Princess Crown!  I pinned something on pinterest this past year where a teacher wore a crown when she was busy with a group or student and could not be bothered.  I tried something similar with a chicken hat I had, but I'm sure you can imagine how funny a teacher is in a chicken hat.  The ids cracked up all the time, and visitors thought I was nuts. Clearly, I will look more sane in a crown!  Ignore my make-up-less face please!  $1 at Dollar Tree (score!)

6.  Cute notebook and coordinating folders...  You know, for taking notes!  $1 each!

7.  I saw a tutorial for making a fabric bunting banner.  I think I can do it.  Here are my supplies!  I'll post a pic when done if it comes out decent...  From Hobby Lobby

 That's all from my shopping excursion today!!  Will post pics later of my finished products.

Teaching Challenging Students Conference

I had the immense pleasure of attending my 1st Whole Brain Teaching Conference today.  It was awesome.  Although most of the topics covered are already well-underway in my classroom, I took great satisfaction in seeing a large group of fellow nerds who don't mind giving up a Saturday educators who are also interested in growing as a whole brain educator.

I will be posting about this wealth of knowledge over the next few days.

I attended the conference with another awesome teacher from my school.

Here we are with THE Chris Biffle himself.  

He was our presenter for the day.  Why learn from the rest when you can learn from the best?!

I feel very excited to walk in to school on Monday and whole-brain-teach-my-little-heart-out!

For many of you, you probably have a variety of behavior management systems in place - I know I do (see my Gold Tags post from before).  I want to review this idea in my own room, and suggest you take a look at your own as well.  Coach B. tells us this great anecdote: when you're teaching, its like fishing in a pond.  You're fishing for kids who are paying attention and engaged.  What motivators are you using for gaining their engagement?  He related like this -

There's a pond over here, and the motivator is 'making your parents proud'.  Guess what?  No fish!  How about this pond over here, the motivator is 'you'll make more money one day'....  aaaannnddd.... NO FISH!  But this pond over here, the one marked: "less homework" and the other one marked "more recess"..... now THOSE are ponds are well-stocked with the fish!  Be sure you're dangling the right carrot in front of them!

A little inspiration

Hey Whole-Brainers!

Or Should I say "Class-Class-Class?"

Did you know there is a FREE Whole Brain Teaching Conference this weekend in beautiful, sunny, So-Cal!  Huntington Beach to be exact!  I will be going (as long as I secure some child care)....
Super-exciting!

If you haven't already like Whole Brain Teaching on Facebook - go now!


And.....  how about a little video inspiration?  If this video doesn't make you wanna go out and WHole Brain Teach everyone, I don't know if you're in the right place.

Happy Whole-Brain Teaching Folks!

Language Arts Using a SmartBoard in my Classroom

I heart technology in the classroom.  It's kinda my 'thing'.  At my school, I'm definitely a go-to gal when your printer is broken (turn it on) or your computer is broken (again, did you turn it on?) etc.  But I am also very interested in using technology to reach the kiddos I have a students today.  A few years ago, my school jumped into the SmartBoard world and bought those for every class at our school.  I super-sparkly-pink heart my SmartBoard.  It was broken for a few weeks and I cried every day, had a mental breakdown, barely managed to get along without it!  I create a LOT of my own content for my SmartBoard using the Notebook software.  It seems like a lot of work, but each week, I pour through my TE and make a lesson for the week for Language Arts.  I include all of our sight words and spelling words for the week, as well as journal ideas, oral language activities, grammar, stories, poems, etc.  Each day, I just open that weeks file and continue where we left off the day before.  I did this all the 1st year I got my board, and now I have it all done.  FAB!  Here's a sample page that has the kids drag the sight word to fill in the blank:

You can download a copy of the notebook file for Harcourt Trophies Theme 4, Week 7 here!  I'm pretty sure you will only be able to open/use this if you have the Notebook Software installed on your computer.  You will also need a Smart Exchange (free) account.

I heart gold tags

Do you guys know about The Teeny Tiny Teacher Blog?  Love her.  Love, love, love her.  And I completely stole her idea this year!

If you don't know about gold tags, read this post here by Teeny Tiny Teacher.  It's great.  It will change your life.  OK, maybe not the whole entire thing, but at least a small part - behavior management.  Do away with the whole red green yellow system.  DO IT!  I'm telling you.  Amazing.  My kids are doing oh-so-well this year with gold tags.

Yes, I do Fun Friday.  Do you?  I teach at a FAB private school that really allows me to structure my classroom schedule how I want and really lives with the motto: "Work hard, play hard."  So, we have Fun Friday.  My little peanuts really 'go for the gold!' and love to get a gold tag.  And what does that earn them?  First dibs on Fun Friday choices.  That's it!  Really!!!

Be sure to check our Kirsten's post above!

Class Jobs - Class President

In the past, I have always LOVED doing classroom jobs.  I have tried it every way to Sunday and back again.  I have done a few jobs, with some having the week off: didn't really love that.  I have done a job board where everyone ALWAYS had a job...  love this, but two problems always arose: 1.  Coming up with 20 jobs that actually had a purpose and weren't just 'figure-heads' & remembering to change them in a timely fashion.

I know there are about as many ways to do class jobs as there are teachers out there.  But, this year I have tried something new.  I picked this idea up from someone on Pinterest.  If anyone can recall the source, I'd so happily credit/link them!  But I'm at a loss....

There are just a few jobs I really NEED, like, can't do without someone to help pass out papers, someone to hold the gate open for the kids by the pool, someone to be the line leader, someone to sit in the 'special chair' during SSR.  So instead of assigning these all as separate tasks, I just let 1 (or 2) kids do it all!  Yes, all of those jobs!  I change the student daily, that way everyone gets tons of turns!

Every day, we have a CLASS PRESIDENT.  The president picks a vice president, and those two kids do all of the little jobs that arise during the day...  running notes to other teachers, taking the roll up, etc.

I am sharing here my poster that I use for this.  I took a picture of each student holding a flag (very presidential, no?) and change the picture every day.  I go in number order so the kids know when it will be their turn.  If they are absent, I skip them for the day and let them have their turn when they get back.
I have laminated both pages and just pin a new pic up each day and write in the name of the prez & VP.  The kids LOVE this and there hasn't been a single complaint all year.  I am loving it!

Thanksgiving Fun!

Wow!  I can't believe that Halloween is over and we're already on to November/Veteran's Day/Thanksgiving.  Ohmyword!  So much to do, so little time.

For planning purposes, I have to condense my fun stuff into two weeks (minus a day off for Vet's Day).  I have decided that I will be doing traditions, turkeys and thankfulness this week.  Next week we will talk about the first Thanksgiving and discuss Pilgrims and Indians.

I'd love to share an activity I have made to use this week that go along with turkeys.  This week, my darling kiddies will be writing about "How to Catch a Turkey."  I love the super-fun idea of "How to Cook a Turkey," but our 2nd Grade does that, and I'd hate to steal their thunder.  So here's my take!  Follow this link to get yourself a freebie copy! 

.

Checking in

My class this year is wonderful, darling, adorable, and brilliant!  I adore them to pieces!  They are the kind of class that makes you remember why you became a teacher in the first place...  Kind of a contrast to last year!

Last year, I began using whole brain teaching concepts to help my difficult class find their niche and it really helped out.  I had posted some of my materials I made to use in class including these cards which I laminated and put up as the rule cards.

They were great.  

This year's class needs a lot less reminding.  They are the self-starters, go-getters and happy-go-lucky type of kids that just get in the groove and get going.

They also are much happier to repeat back with gestures and sing along/chant along!  Yay!

We have been working on a calendar routine this year that has been awesome. If you have a SmartBoard, I'd be happy to share it with you - keep in mind its been chopped together using some amazing resources from the world of teaching blogs.  One important thing my kids do daily is our Math Notebook....  purchased from Teachers Pay Teachers by Cara Carroll.  

I seriously could not live without that site!

If you haven't ever been on their website, or heard about it - go check it out!  

Oh Ya - Awwwwh! Playing 'the game'

Oh wow, this blog has been neglected!  I thought I'd check in and report on how we're doing.  If you've been keeping up, you know that my class is super-crazy-out-of-control 

spirited.

In an effort to maintain a safe environment, I have been playing around with whole brain teaching.  It's been a while.  I'm not going to say it's turned my rascally friends into perfect angels...  but, there have been some improvements.  

On with it.... the topic of this post is "The Game".  The Game is a daily behavior activity.  Each day, the kids play 'against' me.  But really, its pretty win-win.  You see, all day long, when they are on task, doing the right thing, etc. etc. they earn a point for the student team.  And if they are not following the rules or what-not, they earn me a point.  We play for some kind of daily reward.  If they win, they get the reward, and if not, I get extra teaching time. I tell them all the time, I'd rather THEY win.  Of course!  Because if they win, I actually got that extra teaching time all through the day. 

Some of the rewards we play for are: free draw, chit-chat time, You-Tube video (like 'funniest babies', Charlie Bit My Finger, etc.), extra recess, games and puzzles.  I try to change it up regularly.

How do we play?  Each time I see some kind of action or behavior I want to see more of, I mark a point on the students' side (the happy face side), and they get a 1 second party.  They say "Oh Ya!" - each time I see a behavior I don't want to see, I mark a point on my side (the sad face side).  They get a 1 second pity party and say "awww."  

Simple enough, right?  

Well, sometimes I forget, or sometimes we get distracted, or sometimes behavior is 10 kinds of wrong and a sad-face point doesn't quite cut it.  

But, when I commit and they try, we all have a better day of it.  

Try it out and tell me how it goes for you!

New month - new partner - new condiment!

Well, this whole brain teaching certainly has it's ups and downs, no?


I still have a couple of boys who will. not. buy. in.  Nope, not gonna do it.  "You want me to work with a partner?  Nope.  You want me to gesture?  No way.  You want me to participate with enthusiasm?  Not gonna happen lady.


What to do?  I'm super sad and disappointed that I have little firsties that are already so jaded and too-cool-for-school to have fun with learning.  When did that happen?  Is it a coincidence that both these peanuts have much older siblings?  I think not.  They are too big for their britches!


I considered putting them together and letting them have their own little pity party together while the rest of us have fun, fun, fun.  But thought against it and paired them with some of my most eager beavers, hoping some of the fun-ness and love for learning rubs off on them.


Moving on....


Every month, I change the kids seats.  I want them to constantly have a new, fresh perspective.  In February, my kids had 'peanut butter and jelly partners.'  This month, we have moved on to ketchup (or catsup if you prefer;) and mustard.  HOWEVER, being that I only have 6 girls, and they were working SO well with their partners, I left all of them the same.  Why fix what's not broken, right?

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!

Oh no. A sub day.

I was worried this would happen.  Just when my kiddos are making forward progress, one of my own kiddies gets sick.  


Let me say here that I actually took a sub day last week; that sub told me she would never. come. back. to. my. class...  They were THAT bad.


So, when my own little one got sick, I just came to school to get the room set up for a sub, and asked the office to help find one.  I work at a GREAT school, where people are so helpful and always watching out for one another.


Who did they call?  The sub who said she'd not be coming back.  Did they tell her it was my class?  ummmm, no.  She came.  I asked her to give them one more chance.  Before I left, I asked her to watch the two videos I posted here previously....  She did.


Let me just say, I am so excited by the note she left.  She said they were, and I quote, "great!"  Can you believe it?  Someone used the word 'great' to describe my rambunctious, 14 boy, 6 girl, class.  I know, pick your jaw up off the floor.  I think we've turned a corner!

Days 1 & 2

Wow.  I mean WOW (underline, bold, exclamation point)!


My students are like different people.  After Day 1, I could already see an improvement.  But, figured, novelty can be to blame.  And now after 2 days, I'm still hoping its not just novelty here, they are 

AH-MAZING! 

What have I tried so far?  In my class we:

Have new rules!  Yes, halfway through the year, and we have new rules.  They like them.  They are very clearly defined.  I always say that kids do better when they know what's expected of them.  I guess my old rules just didn't cut it weren't any good weren't specific enough. So, our NEW rules (with the hand movements we do) are:

Rule #1:  Follow directions quickly.  (hand moves like a fish swimming in water)

Rule #2:  Raise your hand for permission to speak. (raise hand and then bring to shoulder level and pretend hand is a mouth talking)

Rule #3:  Make smart choices.  (tap head)

Rule #4:  Keep your dear teacher happy.  (hands open wide next to face, like jazz hands, and tilt head back and forth)

I know many other have another rule:  "Raise your hand for permission to leave your seat."  I allow my kiddos to get their sweatshirts, put them away, get pencils from the sharp cup and get sips of water when they need to.  Having them raise their hands all the time would only serve the purpose of making me crazy.  So, we tossed that rule.

I made rule cards, and laminated them.  They look like this:

We review these rules ALL THE STINKIN' TIME.