Holidays with WBT

Many teachers would agree that the final two weeks of school, before holiday break, is bananas!!  We had semester report cards due, as well as, district benchmarks due.  Not to mention, all of the holiday crafts and parent gifts to make, and wrap up really festive!! My students are diligent with the gestures and eager to use them with new students.  My new student, who joined me on the 30th of November, almost has all the gestures mastered! I am very pleased with so many students accomplishments, within the classroom. Comparing my previous years teaching., I can see that I am getting through to many at-risk students.   I noticed that I have about 75% of my class doing all of the gestures. These students did a fantastic job on their benchmarks.  The other 25% of my classroom, that performed at a C level, or below, are the students that resist doing and saying the gestures, or are absent more than the average bear.  After I reviewed my students scores, I had them write me a letter, explaining what they could do to improve their grades in the classroom. EVERY single student that resists the gestures, said that they needed to use the gestures more, when I am teaching!  I am hopeful that when we return to school, that these individuals start making more use of their knowledge, using WBT methods!!


Heather Hansen
WBT Intern
2011/12

Keeping things Fresh

Well..its official!  This week back from Thanksgiving break, low energy, compared to the first 9 weeks of school.  I feel relieved that there are some variations for the scoreboard and I plan on implementing them, this week.  I received a new student this week, boy he was taken back, when the class started teaching one another all of the information.  He was really excited and already started working really hard to get a super improvers card.  I know that this is a very distracting part of the year, and I want it make sure that all WBT strategies remain exciting and fresh for my students. I can really see how refreshing this style of teaching was for the new boy.  I also, see that many of my other students are currently taking, such a fun way of learning, for granite.  At times, some students, will answer back using funny character voices, when I did not use a character voice myself.  This is where we stand at a crossroad.  I know that all of the new strategies that Coach Biff, created, will re-vamp the classroom environment.  I can't wait to blog after I use some of various strategies!!

Heather Hansen
Wbt Intern
2011/12

WBT teaching with reflections on todays challenges

There are so many challenges for todays teachers, with respect to simply keeping the attention of our students.  Todays children are used to instant gratification.  So many, of my students, inform me that they are spending endless hours on the computer or their Xbox,DS, WII.  Social skills are at a decline.  This is why this constant engagement, with their peers, and practice of proper speaking skills is so important.  Traditional teaching is the last thing that a student needs to advance in the classroom. Modeling, modeling, modeling is crucial for our students.  I have seen so many students jump up and entire reading and math level because of the Super Speed Math, Reading, and oral writing!  I am so amazed by the growth, in many students, that have previously tested in the Far Below Basic bracket. I have never been so excited to get geared up for state testing.  I think that one thing I am really grateful for, is the fact that the day flies by, and instruction is so fun!  I have few discipline problems and a class of 30 students enjoying reading, writing, and math.  What more could I ask for?  


Heather Hansen
Wbt Intern
2011/12

WBT Incentives

We are really chugging away at the super improver wall!  My students are so excited to get to the picture level.  They are working so hard!  Every time that, my students, enter the classroom they walk to the wall and count their stars.  Also, I overhead my students encouraging one another to practice their super speed math and reading, when they finish their work early.  One thing that I really appreciate, in the classroom, is all of the support that my students offer one another.  They are like one big WBT family.  In the beginning of the school year, many students were very reluctant to work with one another.  Gestures and attention spans has definitely improved over the course of 14 weeks. Furthermore,  I was talking with another WBT colleague and we decided that the colored bracelets would be a a great incentive for the last level of the Super improver wall.  I am eager to get the bracelets ordered and show my students, they are going to go bananas over the last level!!  Things are going great!!

Heather Hansen
Wbt Intern
2011/12

kneading the dough!

Boy....I can see so much growth in all of my students!  Also, the classroom management is fantastic.  I had another teacher comment on how well behaved my students are.  Using the scoreboard, and all of the other WBT techniques, is like kneading the dough and the end result is going to be a beautiful loaf of golden bread! I have been in school for 12 weeks and I just introduced the practice cards.  There were some lit up faces, when my rule followers realized that they were not going to suffer for the other attention seekers.  I sent home the practice notes, for the disruptive students, and to my surprise their parents had them practice lots!!  One student practiced for 15 minutes and the other for 2 hours!  Yikes!!  He was an angel today!   I reminded my students that there will eventually be purple cards of praise going out.  It will accompany a letter stating how wonderful you are in class..They are so excited!  I said,"Who wants this letter starting off their weekend?"  All hands shot up so quickly, you would think that I was holding a nugget of gold! I plan on getting on those a little closer to Christmas.  This week went really well and my students are working really hard.  My goal this week is to try to maintain the energy after lunch.. Most of my students provide half a gesture and are very delayed in their response.  Energy is crucial, as this is the time I am teaching Social Studies and Science!!  Happy Halloween!


Heather Hansen
Wbt intern
2011/12

Brain toys and Gestures Amazing!!

I have been having a wonderful time watching the evolution of my class over this period of time!  There are so many of my students, that came into the class showing a very timid personality and weak academically. Now!  There is a power that has overwhelmed them!  This power is the brain toys and the gestures.  I mean so many students reference these tools while talking with their classmates.  For example, I can't even say "because" in the classroom without them repeating it and clapping their hands together.  It's fascinating.  Also, while they are reading their weekly story, there are hands flying all over the place.  I love how effective the gestures are and how amazing the brain toys work, in the classroom environment.

Heather Hansen
Wbt Intern
2011/12

Week 11 and seeing great Changes!!

I have held out, as long as I possibly can, in regards to practice cards.  I think that it is the appropriate time because we have been in school for 11 weeks.   I will be implementing it on Monday and I have given fair warning!  One of my challenges, that so worried that he is going to get a note home next week!  I told him that he has complete control of himself and he chooses his destiny, in this regard.  I think I really got through to him. I believe this because at the end of the day, I had my students write me a little note on three things that hey would love to improve on.  Oh my...they were so random from educational to individual.  It was very appropriate.  For example, my students that are virtually perfect in the classroom chose AR goals, writing, and multiplication improvement. However, my challenges said Rule 2, Rule 5, and Rule 3!!  All on their own!  Amazing...I love that they are taking ownership. I plan putting them in their portfolios!  We are climbing mountains of positive behavior and constant engagement!!

Heather Hansen
Wbt Intern
2011/12

Week 9 wbt instruction

Well...I have students that came into the classroom with zero confidence! I'm amazed at how well these students did in our district benchmark tests! They were excited to take the test. Another teacher came up to me, this morning, and told me how her previous student comes to her every recess and tells her how good she's doing! That was such great news! Im convinced that prove it is allowing students to engage in an academic conversation, while building confidence. I am eager to continue with the wbt practices. I know that students are actually grasping the information and using it at home. Many parents, during parent conferences, told me how excited their child comes home!!! Great week!!!

Heather Hansen
Wbt intern
2011/12

Week 7 & Prove it!

Well..It was a very exciting week in room 24.  We had an awesome week practicing the game Prove It.  The kids absolutely love it!!  They can't get enough of it!  This is a game that gets every student involved and engaged with academic language.  I love how quickly it moves and the looks of excitement on everyones face is priceless. On Fridays, I have to do my assessments so, we can't play Prove it. There were so many grumbles in the class because students love answering the questions generated from the State tests.  Who would have ever guessed?  One student said, " I can't believe I'm saying this but I love school"  This statement is absolute music to my ears.   Another wonderful fact about this game, is that most students are engaged in academic language.  I hear because slappers and also adders going on.  As a matter of fact, they are oral writing the entire time they are proving their answers right or wrong on the white boards.  **I need to get the Wacky Fun Star up and running during Prove it!!***  I feel like my students and I can take the world by storm ,when we are so excitedly engaged, on one third grade standard!

Heather Hansen
Wbt Intern
2011/12

Super Improver strategy

I have been using the super improvers wall diligently.  I have found that, when I tell my students that I will update the wall on my break, every student stays engaged during the entire period.  For example, while I'm having students teach one another, I remind them that I am looking for super improvers.  I am providing my stars for SS math, Reading, and energetic gestures.  I noticed that every time a student comes in from recess, their little faces are beat red and they want to rest for a little while.  So, I have to incorporate more incentive via the wall.  It has worked wonders this week.  Students enter the classroom and they walk the perimeter of the classroom.  While walking the perimeter, they say the rules and pass the SI Wall.  Every student comes in with a burst of energy eagerly waiting to see if they earned a star during the last period.  When a student earns 6 stars they earn a classroom leader pin.  One of my most challenging students, academically, reminded me at the end of the day that she only needs one more star to be a classroom leader!  These are the days, that remind me of how lucky I am to be a teacher!  It is truly rewarding!

Heather Hansen

Wbt Intern

2011/12

Super Improver, update, Wacky Star Fun Button, and Palmdale Hotflashers room

Today was another learning lesson.  I worked on giving each level a name, on my super improvers wall.  I decided to go with various species of snakes because we study the desert.  All of my students were beyond excited!  Also, I decided to wait to provide each student their stars.  I write myself a little reminder and while the students are at recess, I put up their stars.  So, I write a note to myself, students go to recess, they enter the classroom after recess, walk past the super improvers wall, and while staying in line, walk the "Perimeter" of the classroom.  While they are doing this they are rattling off the rules.  This was so exciting!!! Smiles, smiles, smiles!  I have decided to work on paying extremely close attention to who is really improving.  Coach brought to light a very good point.  Why am I putting my most ideal student up on the board and giving her tons of stars?  What is she improving on?  She's just being the wonderful role model, that any teacher flocks to.  Tomorrow my eyes will be peeled for more super improvers!!

BTW, I have attached my updated pictures of my SI Wall, My Wacky Fun Star button, and a first grade Palmdale Hotflashers Power Pic Walls:)

Always watching.....for Super Improvers

Ok.. I have had an awakening this week.  I have a few very challenging students, who on a one on one basis do much better.  The problem is that there is literally no one on one time in the class environment.  I have worked diligently providing these students with Super Improvers stars for simply participating in gestures with their partner.  I am doing something that I would have never thought of this year!  I saw a glisten in the eye of a very obstinate student, when I provided a star for participation, without talking back.  You just have be very cognoscente and break down every positive behavior.  This has to be done no matter how small the deed.  For example, a simple hands and eyes, when you ask.  I know that the year is long, and still very new.  I feel very blessed to have knowledge of WBT.  It looks like I may be changing up the levels of the scoreboard for one student.  However, the rest of the students are plugging away making WBT History!!!

Heather Hansen
Wbt Intern
2011/12

Improved pictures for Power Pic Wall and Super improver Wall

The days have been absolutely flying by!  We have been so busy with the genius ladder, oral writing, and Super Improvers wall!  I see that the oral writing strategy is working well for Social Studies and Science!  The curriculum is written far beyond a 3rd graders vocabulary.  Also, I have 6 English Language Learners that seem to enjoy correcting others on their English.  Several, ELL students,  have corrected another student when they forgot to add their ZOOP!  Too wonderful!  And yes they received a Super Improver Star when they corrected those students.
 Furthermore, I made a grid, so that it was easier to locate each Power Pic.  I think it might be more aesthetically pleasing to the eye!  Hope you all enjoy!  By all means bring on the suggestions and  questions:)

Thanks!

Heather Hansen
Wbt Intern
2011/12

Super Improvers color code

Well this past week has been extremely exciting!  I had a wonderful time at the conference in Indio.  It was extra beneficial, in regards to the super improvers wall.  I love how coach Biff reconstructed the plan to make it last throughout the entire year.  I have been working diligently on my poster board and I've been having a blast doing it!  So....the end result is 10 colors, a color code, that students advance to through super speed record improvement.  Also, an extra bonus picture once they get through the levels and 10 stars per each level!  Traditionally, the only students that were rewarded were the alphas or the class elite.  Finally, a way to incorporate reward for everyone!  I think that the concept of breaking personal records is key, with respect to raising classroom moral.  Every student can finally come to school excited because, it is realistic, and  they know that they can always work at beating their own score.  I told one of my "Sulky" students that you just have to try a little harder each day and you have gained success!  It was the first time I saw her smile.  She likes the fact that she's not up against all the other students.  Furthermore, tomorrow, Monday, I will be watching very closely to see if I can put her up on my Super Improvers Wall.  It is students like her that you want to expose positive reinforcement because it is obvious that she lacks confidence in school.  I look forward to another day the WBT way!!!


Heather Hansen
WBT Intern
2011/12

Using Oral writing and the fear of public speaking

Every Friday students have to present their Monday Writing, by paraphrasing their paragraph and providing a tangible visual as they speak..  Oh my.... this is terrifying for third graders.  It is one of our third grade standards so I believe the more you talk the more comfortable you get with the group, not so much yet....For example, the first student I picked, yesterday, to come to the front of the class, looked like death had warmed over!  So, I thought...maybe I will have the students practice oral writing gestures as the students speak.  This worked wonderful!!  It eased the student, in front of the class because the students weren't just staring at them, they were helping them remember their topic sentence, their adders, and closing, in conclusion...  Wow!  I am so excited that I found another way to incorporate oral writing into the day!  I believe it to be very effective coupled with enjoyment.  Not to mention, every student was totally engaged during the students presentation.  In the past, I would notice a few students losing interest after they had presented.  Thats just not and option now!!  Hooray for oral Writing!!  Guess what I pushed at the end of the day???  Yes, the Wacky Fun star button!!  I sent home some very excited third graders to enjoy their peaceful and relaxing weekend!!


Heather Hansen
Wbt Intern
2011/12

First Day of school with WBT classroom model implementation!

OK.....First, I tried to get on livestream, for the web conference and it denied me access for 20 minutes!! STRESS!!  Otherwise the day was wonderful!  Heres how the daily schedule worked out...
First, I started with the rules.. broke each one up into 5 step lesson.  It went pretty fast.  Then, I introduced super speed reading for a minute.  The students loved that!  Follow up the reading with 10 minutes of the reading section of Prove It!  After this, the students are relieved to do a little Oral writing.  I started with a question.  How is your first day of school?  I informed students about mirror and they followed me, with My first day of school was beyond exciting!!  It was beyond exciting BECAUSE Clapper..  I learned about the wacky fun star button. Also, I earned more points than our teacher! This makes me want to come to school everyday!  In conclusion, (zoop)  today was one of my best days!
To introduce Math, I began with super speed Math and follow up with 10 minutes of Prove It!  Finally, the assigned chapter lesson.
universal access, this is where I have my ELL students grouped for instruction.  Finally Science coupled with oral writing.  The day concluded with a ten minute writing
It started like this:
Today I learned about _______and _______.  Many students plugged in even numbers and energy.  It was a great day with some powerful teaching going on.  I am still waiting to introduce the UMH.  I think that tomorrow will be a good day.  I want to be able to thoroughly break down the points.  They were so curious about the mind soccer posters today!!  They can hardly wait!!

WBT and combo classes

One more day and I can hardly believe it!  School has been a very anticipated event, thanks WBT!  I was getting a little feed back from a colleague.  She has been implementing WBT for a year in her classroom.  She uses it in a 2/3 combo.  I am very interested in following WBT and combo instruction. Many people, that teach combos, use WBT whole group.  Well... as we know you can't always practice whole group instruction while teaching a combo.  When I taught a combo I would try to mesh as much instruction as possible.  I even spent a week trying to type up and align all the 1st and 2nd grade standards.  As it turned out, I relieved the parents by telling them that it was basically a GATE class for 1st grade and a regular 2nd.  WBT would work when you can do that.  My colleague is not comfortable with that and thinks that, though WBT is wonderful, she can't use it as frequently as she would like because of the varied instruction.  She said that she gets one side going independently and then hops back over to the other side of the room. How exhausting, plus, I have a feeling that she may be losing some of her students with all of that down time.  You know, the daydreamer!  I was once one myself!    I know that we have to follow the curriculum and I agree that it is a very useful tool.  However, I don't understand why students can't read the same story and learn from the WBT classroom model book, with respect to writing and grammar.  It would work wonderful and cut back on all the confusion, with respect to teaching. I feel that the means goal end is to create an enlightened, well-rounded, educated, college bound individual......That loves to learn!!!:)  We can do it!!!

Classroom Bulletin boards are up!!

Woohoo!  Finally the vision has come to life!  It was somewhat easy this year using the WBT classroom model as a foundation to organize and create.  I truly enjoyed the experience and here are the pictures from todays results.  I put all of the power pics up for spacing, but I will be taking them down and putting them back up as I introduce each standard.  I can't wait to hear what you think!!  Any ideas???

Thanks!!

Heather Hansen

WBT intern

2011/12

Palmdale Hotflashers team

Well , I got my first assignment from coach Biff!  I have to get as many team members as possible!  It started off semi-slow.  Then....all of sudden a burst of followers came running to join the team!  I have many people interested in becoming a WBT classroom model.  I worked diligently on my classroom for two days now and I think its looks great!  I still have to get my genius ladder up.  I'm still not sure how I want to set that up.  I know that it needs to be on the whiteboard.  I would like the convenience to change it daily! I am also excited to see some of the pictures on the other blog sites!  I know that there is going to be some fantastic examples.  The forum has been really hopping with wonderful questions!  Every day that I get on there to participate there is a new follower from another state or even another country for that matter.

What a wonderful experience thus far!!  5 day count down!!

Heather Hansen
WBT Intern
2011/12

Universal Homework Model

I have spent the last few days analyzing the UHM and designing a poster to keep in the front of the classroom.  I have been discussing this topic on the forum.  There are so many wonderful ideas for posters!!  I like the idea of using a soccer ball to manipulate towards my students goal.  In order to comply with district homework policy, I need to have a 5 star homework policy.  If I end up with 32 students and 4 days of homework that will be 640 at 100%, and students get 5 whole minutes of Mind soccer on Friday. My other percentages are 80% at 4 minutes, 60% at 3 minutes and 40% at 2 minutes.  I think that I will have a better turn out with homework, with this model in play.   

5 star: Math, Reading, letter( rough-draft, Final draft) spelling or vocabulary

4 star: Math, Reading, letter, spelling

3 star: Math, Reading, letter

2 star: Math, Reading

1 star: Math

I will make sure that I have their daily goal, clearly visible on the board, at the beginning of each day:)

I really like how simple this format is.  In the past I have spent lots of time trying to come up with suitable homework, just to have 3/4 of the students turn it in or, you get it turned in three days late!

Five more days and the fun begins!!

Heather Hansen

WBT Intern

2011/12

Compiling all the information for WBT:)

Things are really starting to come together now!  First, I reread the model classroom e-book. Then, I reread the writing game.  I have two more weeks until I start teaching. I'm planning on  re-adjusting my Language Art block to ensure I have enough time to play the writing game in the same hour.  I'm certain that my students are going to feel like they are in student heaven!    If you think about it, every bit of instruction is either working towards a game or is a game.  Not to mention,  the wonderful wealth of knowledge students are getting all at the same time!  I'm still contemplating how to organize the personal record stars.  As you probably already know, a students desk is often scary!  I think a simple folder will do.  The folder will be solely for  WBT records.  

          Another, thing that I am starting to re-organize is Third grade Science and Social Studies units. I'm  plugging them in WBT style.  Every year I begin with Science and then I alternate the subjects because there isn't enough hours in the day. We will begin with energy.  I plan on tying in the fact that you have  to have a lot of energy to successfully emulate WBT:)  

Giddy Up WBT!!

Heather Hansen

WBT Intern

2011/2012

  

 

Remembering Teaching in the Beginning

Being that I am beginning this WBT Intern journey:)  I thought it would be interesting to reflect on the beginning and the evolution of my teaching.  I always say it starts with the shoes!  My very first day, teaching fourth grade, was almost comical.  Up I come walking with a line of parents, with their children, eager to see the face that goes with the name.  I mean.... I was so clueless!! I chose to wear tan stilettos with a lavender skirt and jacket.  As I was walking up, I remember the confused looks, as to why I would be wearing stilettos.  Maybe... I thought I would be sitting grading papers after instruction?  Sadly enough, it was a long year!  I had a class that even the best of teachers would run from!  I cried everyday and contemplated quitting twice!  After that year, I rolled up my sleeves, changed my shoes:) and got to work.  I realized , that year, that the children ruled the class and they would only cooperate with a tangible reward.  My husband commented that it costs us more for me to be a teacher.  Five years past and I searched for several teaching conferences that would help management, cut back on grading, increase test scores, and anything else I could attend.  Now, ten years later,  I did find my groove and I have always spoke with my hands:), so WBT was a perfect fit for me.  In all of the years I have been teaching, this past year, I have heard students verbalize things like, "Mrs. Hansen, school goes fast this year!"  Or "I learn so much and it's not even hard!"  Everyday, I was so excited to get to work.  I started realizing that I have a dream job and I am doing exactly what I should be doing.....Teaching!  We start school on the 8th of August and usually, this time of year, I am dreading going back to school and feeling under the weather because of all the lesson planning I am usually doing.  Well, honestly, I can't wait to get started implementing WBT with my new class:)  I think that WBT provides clarity!  Clarity for the student and the teacher.  The simplified and quick explanations, coupled with the Teach..OK has truly created a Teacher Heaven!

Reading the agreement bridge

I have been reading the agreement bridge and have found it to be fascinating.  This past year I had a very difficult student who was undiagnosed high functioning autism.  Boy..... I was so relieved to implement that form of communication with him.  He would virtually shut down and disrupt with fits of rage before me knowing how to calmly deal with him.  Overall the beauty of the whole thing is that ultimately he wanted to be heard and with me giving him that 5 or 10 minutes at recess or after school, he was able to pull through the day without distracting his other peers.  I will miss him terrible as we formed a wonderful bond.  However, I will be informing his next years teacher about the agreement bridge and strongly encourage that she use that approach, with respect to sanity!

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