Term 4 & 2012 are near the end.

The last term has been a bit up and down as far as my consistency with WBT.  I did however carry on with the Maori words for kararaihe ( class), ae (yes) whakaako ( teach).
Things began to wane a bit so wondered what I was doing wrong but I think the kids just got a bit sick of the same call and response.  I brought in practise cards in the middle of term. This worked well but I didn't sort the note home so it wasn't organised quite right.  I still worry about rule number 5 and how parents will react to it.  Not sure how I will remedy this for next year.

I really needed to move to the guff counter and probably independents with a few really head strong kiss I have.  I will have to move through the system quicker next year if need be.
In the beginning of the year I will add the notice home explaining all of the rules and how they will be practised throughout the year to reinforce independence, self guided learning and responsibility for actions.

Today we have started doing the rules in funny voices this went down well, but I am still not giving out enough smilies or frownies or getting the timing right for the 2mins game or out to watch the others.

Def have to sort that next year.  I did see that one teacher had a lanyard with a Pen and small card on to record the smiles and frownies during the day.
As the system has fallen down a bit I have definitely noticed the behaviour also deteriorate. So have to get back on the game and be consistent with all strategies.

The video that got me hooked!

She is an amazing teacher and after watching this I was compelled to watch others.  Three hours later I had watched everything and been to the Whole Brain Teacher Website.

Very motivating!

End of Term 3

I am really happy with the success of WBT in my class so far.  It was hugely noticeable when I lapsed in certain areas.  One day was highly stressed, I had a whole lot of children on the pegs and one got to the point she was removed.  At the end of the day I sat down and wondered what was different today?  Does this not work all the time? What did I do wrong?

Then I realised I didn't consistently use the WBT techniques, I wasn't controlling my emotions all day and this played out in the children's behaviour in front of me.

SO I came back the next day with a new outlook and had an amazing day.  No one on the peg, the child I had issues with I had spoken to quietly about her behaviour and had got to the bottom of this as well.  Through reflection I realised that she looks after her brothers and sisters at home and was continuing to do this at school.  This was causing on-going issues with other children and her spending most of the day being a busy-body and off task.  With her I took back all control, I told her at school she is a child and I will keep her and the other children safe.  BUT she is to relax and let me take over.  This was a relief to her and we had a great end to the term.  She was relaxed, kind, helpful but not to the point of interfering and could see what her behaviour was that she needed to modify.

We have added Rule 6 Worry abut Yourself
This will work for those that spend all day telling others what to do and telling ON others.  The tell-talers.  This was actually the children's idea to bring in this rule, which was so exciting.  They have grasped the importance and concept and enjoy the climate it sets up.

I can't wait to carry on this term coming.
Once you become a WBT you will never go back.

Our Class Rules.

This child has come a long way to have the confidence to read our class rules.  I am very proud of him.

Our first attempt, 1 week in.

 

We were doing a big book about a ' Grumpy Rhino' By Jill Eggleton.  The children had to teach each other  the last 3 scenes.  They did a great job ans as you can see in the backgroud we even have some rhinos.

All going well !

So I have been using WBT for 2 weeks since my last post and all is going well.  I am so motivated by the literacture available online that I wish I had a few weeks to study.
My class is succeccfully using the Big Seven, Class Rules daily, The Scoreboard and we have just inrtroduced The Practise Cards at Level 2.
Last Friday was the first go with this.  Mr D and Mr K managed to get  Rule Number 2 to practise.  I made sure this was seen as extra practice not punishment.
Both went well and the cards were left in for the day as a reminder.

So Monday today and what do I see across the room when he wants my attention Mr D was raising his hand all morning.  All he needed was the reminder in the morning and he went over and removed the card.  Lots of class smilies were given and indiv points all went well.
After reading the WBT guide I really liked the rules about not berating children in front of an audience as this fuels the fire.  SO... I took this on board today and took one of my challenging students  aside and discussed with her what was happening and what should be done.  This allowed us both to be calm, she was able to talk without being stressed and we both walked away in one piece.

My goal for the next 2 weeks is consistent  use of the rules and WBT techniques and to manage my emotions and think about the impact on my children.

Week 2 down.

I'm classing this as week 2 as I have been doing this properly for 2 weeks.  So we use class-class all the time. Teach-okay, the scoreboard is getting better but I forgot to give them the quick treat at end of day. Nso have decided I will appoint one of my kids that love to organize to be scoreboard monitor and check results at 2.30pm so we know.  How's that for utilizing a trait that could drive you nuts.

We start off well in the morning but found Friday to be a really loud day, it was hard to bring the down.  I had about 3-4 kids who just kept going and going.  So will make sure I target their behavior this week and appoint frownies based on level of noise to get this back under control.

I have planned to use Smoothy Bumpy Planet for maths and have a go at The Writing Game.  Have watched a couple of videos with Chris demonstrating in New York and think with a bit of work we can do it.  My lower ones may struggle so may do this when they Re out for phonics to start.

Looking forward to a bit of reading is weekend and get my notes sorted for the week, as I still need a written reminder of when and where to use the teach-okay and rule of the game.

Is making my class lots of fun though.