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