This week I tried implemented Super Speed Math. Sometimes middle school can be a mixed bag of attitudes. Most of the students really liked the competition and the organized chaos. I had one that really didn't like it, but I'm working on him/her! When I first looked at Super Speed Math it seemed too easy to start addition with middle schoolers. I did anyway and gave them sixty seconds expecting them to all be finished. They weren't. This worked out well because it allowed me to be more faithful to the technique. I first paired two students that were finished early with a prior assignment. I asked them to be my experts. They only finished two columns in sixty seconds. We tried ninety and that was a better match. I then did the class/yes and papers. I told the students that the two students were going to show them how we were going to practice some basic math facts. The modeling students were smiling and did very well. They shared feedback and answered questions from students. They were perfect models! The best part is that they showed how enjoyable the activity was. I used a time and started everyone at once. It's such a positive way to end our class, especially if the lesson was complex; it gives them confidence to be "good" at something in math.
Webinar for 5/8
Many technical difficulties, but there was a variety of mutual support, and about fifty of us signed on. Mr. Biffle did a review of all the "Brain Tools." I do advise to watch the videos on http://www.teachertube.com/ (search for Chris Biffle) and watch the videos first to get the most out of the webinars. This way you can type questions that will be most helpful to you. You can watch any of the previously aired webinars on http://www.wholebrainteaching.com/ I am "Walkere" in the instant messages. I am also looking for favorite video postings of teachers using the Whole Brain Teaching teachniques in their classrooms. Please let me know if you find something great. To download Super Speed Math go to http://www.wholebrainteaching.com/ and click on the top where it says "Free Ebooks" It's about 40 pages, but you can just print off the math tests/answers that you need and read the rest. To increase reading fluency, try Super Speed 100 or 1000 also under Free Ebooks.
If I had to give one reason to try WBT, it would be to keep a classroom environment that is positive and a happy place for learning for all.
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Whole Brain Teaching Journey-Getting Started
How I found Whole Brain Teaching
My goal in this blog and using WBT is to become that teacher: the one that inspires students love learning. I know I have it in me; I love teaching and I love learning. I have been looking for the program to match my teaching style and personality and have had a few bumps along the road. Pouring through the many professional development materials out there, I felt like Goldilocks. This one's too complicated, doesn't apply to my grade or content, too strict, too expensive, too lax, not research based, not effective for all students, etc. What really held me back was trying to combine all these ideas and finding that committing to so many stretched them all beyond the point of effectiveness. Then, during a teacher-led professal development, I was introduced to "Power Teaching" or Whole Brain Teaching. It was the most fun I had during any professional development activity. It was free, exciting, reseach based, instructed students in how I wanted them to behave and learn the content, and adaptable for all subjects, all grades. I was hooked and I wanted to share this with my students.
Where I am...
I have the very basics down, and most of my kids respond very well. I would recommend clicking on the first links to watch the videosto get inspired and see how it works. Once you watch it in action, you'll have the beginning tools to get your kids excited about learning. You can get the tools you need to get started on "First Steps" on the WBT link below. After creating a free account, click on the link with"docman" in the title or "Free Ebooks" on the WBT site. There are teaching manuls and Free signs. The signs create this positive, colorful environment that the kids check out as soon as they walk in the first time. I love being able to get their attention with a simple, respectful address-"Class," I say. "Yes!" they reply. I can change it up with classity-class or class-o-rama and they reply back yesity-yes or yes-o-rama. I love the Teach-okay because it obeys that Harry Wong command that the one working is the one learning. Well...okay I love WBT because that's the entire program makes the kids work...and they're happy about it! It obeys the new research that movement before learning provides a platform for longer-term storage in the brain. I think one of the most powerful aspects of WTB is that it encourages an environment of support. "It's Cool" allows students to respond with out fear of riticule or shame. It seems silly to tell them it's okay to give a wrong answer, but it's so powerful to say that they are accepted wrong answer or right answer out loud. Whole Brain Teaching is powerful because it uses the tools that we are trying to access: our brains.
Up Next....
I attended my first webinar today and I am excited about the ways the WBT continues to use our best resources-our teachers- to continue to improve what is already a powerful program. Today's webinar focused on Brain Toys, particularly the Air Chalkboard and the Sockless Hand Puppets. I don't know if I am working those in this year (last day is May 20), but I am going to implement the Super Speed Math (under Free Ebooks on the third link below) into math in the last weeks of school and "The Whole Brain Writing Game" in my language arts classes. I will let you know how it goes. This summer, I am hoping to attend the free conference in either Missouri or Louisianna (I am in Tennessee). See the Calendar link to attend. As my journey continues, I hope to connect with fellow WBT teachers. I want to surround my self with teachers that inspire my and that I can inspire.
http://www.wholebrainteaching.com/videos.html -see it in action
http://www.wholebrainteaching.com/Whole-Brain-Teching/First-Steps.html -get started
http://www.wholebrainteaching.com/docman.html -download EBooks and signs, etc.
http://eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/search/detailmini.jsp?_nfpb=true&_&ERICExtSearch_SearchValue_0=ED509033&ERICExtSearch_SearchType_0=no&accno=ED509033 Research supporting movement and learning
http://www.effectiveteaching.com/ Harry Wong
http://www.epi.org/publications/entry/books_teacher_quality_execsum_intro/ Reserach supporting the teacher as the most important factor in learning
My goal in this blog and using WBT is to become that teacher: the one that inspires students love learning. I know I have it in me; I love teaching and I love learning. I have been looking for the program to match my teaching style and personality and have had a few bumps along the road. Pouring through the many professional development materials out there, I felt like Goldilocks. This one's too complicated, doesn't apply to my grade or content, too strict, too expensive, too lax, not research based, not effective for all students, etc. What really held me back was trying to combine all these ideas and finding that committing to so many stretched them all beyond the point of effectiveness. Then, during a teacher-led professal development, I was introduced to "Power Teaching" or Whole Brain Teaching. It was the most fun I had during any professional development activity. It was free, exciting, reseach based, instructed students in how I wanted them to behave and learn the content, and adaptable for all subjects, all grades. I was hooked and I wanted to share this with my students.
Where I am...
I have the very basics down, and most of my kids respond very well. I would recommend clicking on the first links to watch the videosto get inspired and see how it works. Once you watch it in action, you'll have the beginning tools to get your kids excited about learning. You can get the tools you need to get started on "First Steps" on the WBT link below. After creating a free account, click on the link with"docman" in the title or "Free Ebooks" on the WBT site. There are teaching manuls and Free signs. The signs create this positive, colorful environment that the kids check out as soon as they walk in the first time. I love being able to get their attention with a simple, respectful address-"Class," I say. "Yes!" they reply. I can change it up with classity-class or class-o-rama and they reply back yesity-yes or yes-o-rama. I love the Teach-okay because it obeys that Harry Wong command that the one working is the one learning. Well...okay I love WBT because that's the entire program makes the kids work...and they're happy about it! It obeys the new research that movement before learning provides a platform for longer-term storage in the brain. I think one of the most powerful aspects of WTB is that it encourages an environment of support. "It's Cool" allows students to respond with out fear of riticule or shame. It seems silly to tell them it's okay to give a wrong answer, but it's so powerful to say that they are accepted wrong answer or right answer out loud. Whole Brain Teaching is powerful because it uses the tools that we are trying to access: our brains.
Up Next....
I attended my first webinar today and I am excited about the ways the WBT continues to use our best resources-our teachers- to continue to improve what is already a powerful program. Today's webinar focused on Brain Toys, particularly the Air Chalkboard and the Sockless Hand Puppets. I don't know if I am working those in this year (last day is May 20), but I am going to implement the Super Speed Math (under Free Ebooks on the third link below) into math in the last weeks of school and "The Whole Brain Writing Game" in my language arts classes. I will let you know how it goes. This summer, I am hoping to attend the free conference in either Missouri or Louisianna (I am in Tennessee). See the Calendar link to attend. As my journey continues, I hope to connect with fellow WBT teachers. I want to surround my self with teachers that inspire my and that I can inspire.
http://www.wholebrainteaching.com/videos.html -see it in action
http://www.wholebrainteaching.com/Whole-Brain-Teching/First-Steps.html -get started
http://www.wholebrainteaching.com/docman.html -download EBooks and signs, etc.
http://eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/search/detailmini.jsp?_nfpb=true&_&ERICExtSearch_SearchValue_0=ED509033&ERICExtSearch_SearchType_0=no&accno=ED509033 Research supporting movement and learning
http://www.effectiveteaching.com/ Harry Wong
http://www.epi.org/publications/entry/books_teacher_quality_execsum_intro/ Reserach supporting the teacher as the most important factor in learning
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