Ok...First let me say HELLO FROM TEXAS!!!!

I am currently teaching Pre-K at a Charter school here in Texas. Now I don't intend for anyone to take this wrong but for me (this being my 5th year teaching) coming from a private school in an affluent neighborhood to a public charter school in a lower socio-economic neighborhood was a CULTURE SHOCK!

It took me almost 2 months to get on board with what this entire school thought was the ONLY way to teach these children. Because of their backgrounds, these kids are living in homes that are not the best situations. Out of 18 students I have only 3 that are living with their natural mother or father. The rest are in foster care and are usually bouncing from foster home to foster home ( once such student has been in 6 homes this year).

I thought that I was doing the right thing by changing my own teaching style to fit the style here within the school. I watched other teachers and how they dealt with just about any discipline situation. I found myself slowly becoming them. I have often gone home with a headache from yelling at my class...(SOMETHING I HAD NOT DONE IN THE PAST 4 YEARS)....constantly punishing children..(it wasn't rare to see my whole class miss recess for a week)....and the ultimate punishment....daily sending children to the office for swats. Corporal punishment in our school is not a choice...it is the standard. Direct instruction is the teaching method used in our school and I strongly believe in it.

A few weeks ago I was promoted to Kindergarten for the upcoming school year. However, I was asked to split teach between pre-k and kinder for the remainder of this school year as the teacher had been let go. So I went in with all these preconceived notions about how horrible these kids were and how they could not follow directions. After two weeks I was so tired of it I didn't know if I wanted to teach anymore.

Then I found WBT on YOUTUBE! I was Googling "classroom rules kidnergarten" and just found a video of the young lady teaching kidergarten. I WAS BLOWN OUT OF MY SEAT! I couldn't believe it was as easy as she was showing...so with a little time at nap...I searched the net and found this sight.

In only one hour I watched the videos....took some notes and thought to myself...it can't do any harm...so lets try it.

I began that afternoon in the Kinder class. I took 20 min to teach the class-yes, hands and eyes, catch a bubble and the score board ( I know a lot in 20 min). OMG it was amazing. It was the first time in 2 weeks I was able to teach phonics and math without any discipline interruptions. IT WAS AMAZING!

The next morning I taught it to my Pre-kinders....and wouldn't you know it worked the same!

I am so sold on this program. I took it to my VP and she was amazed. It kept with our direct instruction method as EVERYTHING is directed by the teacher with the students responding.

I would like to report that now on day 3 of the WBT process (and more things including the GUFF counter have been introduced) my 4 students between the grades that normally are in the office 2-3 times a day....HAVE NOT BEEN TO THE OFFICE ONE TIME...and their daily behavior stars have remained on BLUE (THE BEST)!

I am so amazed! Did I say that already! I have pitched the idea to my VP and P and the school is sending 10 teachers (including myself) to Fort Worth for the May 23 conference. I am so excited.

I don't know if the other teachers will climb aboard with these techniques as I have but from one frazzled teacher to another...THANK YOU FOR REVITALIZING MY DESIRE TO TEACH!

Now my question....

Is it normal for the GUFF COUNTER to become "funny"....as the "guffer" does things just to have the other children please stop?

Thanks for your help!

Love and Blessings,
Farrah

Farrah, your story is so encouraging, and amazing! I'm so glad you were able to latch on to the positive, revitalizing message that WBT sends...

As for your question for the Guff Counter...you'll find sometimes that students will do it on purpose to get a "please stop", because they want attention. Truly...if that's all they do for attention and they've gotten it out of their system...what's the harm? What it still comes down to is the class is demonstrating that they are NOT ok with that students ruining their score, and they do NOT support that student.

It's all psychology. Though that student may feel 'rewarded' with attention...they still heard the message from their peers.... please STOP!

It sends a message and sets the tone. Don't worry, it won't always be magic...and it won't always be perfect...but it's creating a climate and setting a tone in your classroom. That's what WBT is all about. Fun, self-managing, engaging.

First of all...I just want to say WOW! I am amazed that you have taken on such a tough task! And what a blessing you are to those children. I also wanted to say that if the Guff counter thing is frustrating to you, try putting that friend and any other "jokers" in the independents group (check the webbook for more details). That may be just the trick to curb those goofballs! But if it doesn't bug you---I say leave it. AS long as you are maintaining the maximum instructional time and moving on quickly--I really believe the rest is up to you! You are in my prayers, sister:)