Can I get a mighty oh yeah!?! I just received my first 100 points for my first essay towards WBT certification for instructor level.  I was so nervous because (clap) I didn't want to disappooint Coach B.  I really will be dedicated to pursuing this.  I truly believe that this way of teaching CAN change the way students learn and CAN make a difference in education today!  If you don't know about Whole Brain Teaching, go NO...race to their website and let the jaw-dropping, forehead slapping, non-stop smile begin as you check it all out! http://www.wholebrainteaching.com/

The Golden Key - Unlock the Door to Student Learning

Here's a taste of the WBT National Conference in Pineville, LA:

Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.

James Baldwin (1924-1987) African-American writer.

      If I learned nothing else at the conference in Pineville, I learned that education today is in need of a change.  With charters and vouchers becoming more prevalent around our country and USA slipping further and further from anywhere near the top in education, educators need to reach deep into their ‘back pocket’ to pull out something that works with every type of student, even the most challenging ones,  and engage them in their own education.  Whole Brain Teaching does just that.

     At the conference, educators from 26 states turned and gave a figurative ‘Golden Key’ to one another to enable us to unlock the wonderful world of student learning.  On the key are the most important components of Whole Brain Teaching (WBT): the core four, critical thinking, and individual improvement.  As with all WBT, our keys were made with grand gestures that represented the three parts of the key.  I’m either going to draw one or have one made to remind me of how to unlock that door when it feels jammed or stuck!

     Out of the Big Seven of WBT, the Core Four: the class/yes, teach/ok, mirror, and scoreboard, are what make up the big part of one end of the key.  These four should be used in every lesson taught with WBT, whether it be academic or behavioral.  The class/yes is your attention grabber and focuser.  Teach/ok allows the necessary repetition for learning to occur.  It also helps you to break down the lesson into the smallest parts possible for maximum retention.   In Bloom’s taxonomy, teaching is in the highest level.  Using ‘mirror’ or ‘mirror words’ gives the students the gestures and words needed to internalize what it is being taught so that they can 1) commit it to their long term memory and 2) turn around and use it to teach their neighbor.  Finally, the scoreboard is used as a motivator to make students want to do the right thing, help each other, not waste time, learn, learn, learn, and, most importantly, keep their dear teacher happy.

     The longest and middle part of the key is all about critical thinking.  It incorporates two vital pieces: the because clapper and problem solver. (Even while I’m writing this, I want to stop to do the gestures!)  The because clapper makes students dig deep to bring to mind details or reasons why.  The problem solver has students coming up with their own examples, evidence from texts or experiences, or just thinking problems through.

     The final part of this amazing key, which is shaped like a star, is Individual improvement.  The symbol of the star represents the stars that students earn on the Super Improvers Wall when they continue to beat their own record, either academically or behaviorally.  It makes the journey fairer or more kid friendly when the only person they have to beat is themself.

     In conclusion, I will be using this priceless golden key to open each individual door to the wonderful world of student learning of each of my students this year and from now on.  I can only imagine the impact this will have on my students’ learning once they realize the door is open.  I hope to also open this door for my fellow educator’s too.  Our school’s motto is:  Estelle Elementary, a great place to learn.  Now it truly will be!

Here we go!

Well, here we go, here we go, here we go!!!!  Allright now, I'm going to try to be faithful to this blog by posting to it at least weekly, by reporting all the great new things that will be happening in my classroom, and I promise no whining about things I cannot change, but will try try try to do what I can with what I've been given. Can I get a - Oh Yeah!  Thanks... I hope to be sharing the love with you all.