First day

Well.. we got through the first day of school!  I have 33 students, every face lit up with excitement the minute I started doing WBT.  They are so excited for the scoreboard.  I am looking forward to a wonderful year.  They were able to follow all the of the rules effortlessly.  Tomorrow I will be introducing the Super Speed Reading and Math.  I have to get them through the incentives.  I am sure they will be very motivated..I have a very eager bunch that are looking for defeating their personal best!

Next week we will be diving into the curriculum.. Full speed ahead!!!!!

Heather Hansen

Homework

Getting Ready for 2012/2013 School year

There are so many ways to prepare your self mentally for the start of the school year.  Many times I spend this time of the year gathering up new material, that I would want to implement, within the classroom.  It is very comforting to know that I had such a wonderful experience with WBT.  I am ready to use all of the wonderful hooks, that WBT has to offer.  I am planning on sending Super Speed Reading and Math home with the students.  I received so many compliments from parents, in regards to their child's advancement in both Mathematics and Reading.  The fact that they are timed against themselves just provides each and every student comfort, in regards to self esteem.  I see that every student moved on to 4th grade with so much more confidence than they had entering 3rd grade.  STEM  coupled with advancement in technology is the trend.  One plans on seeking out various grants and monies, that will help contribute to such concepts, within the classroom environment!h.hansen@westside.k12.ca.us

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