One of the things I like most about WBT is the fact that students are rewarded with praise from their teacher and peers. The students learn that what their peers think and what their teacher thinks about their behaviour and their work is important. They feel good about what they achieve! Any thoughts? What is your favourite part of WBT?

My Favorite part of WBT is the way it engages students. For so many years, teachers have done all the lecturing. Though this method may work for some, it is boring and dull for others. I love that with WBT you are micro lecturing. Students are able to learn small parts, then move on to the next. Students are also able to teach themselves as well as peers using gestures. I love the way the scoreboard keep students on task, and who can forget class/yes! So to sum it up, I LOVE EVERYTHING about WBT!!!

My favorite part is that students are using their WHOLE BRAIN! With that, we can be sure that we are giving children all possible ways to learn and be SUCCESSFUL in what we are teaching them. They are accountable for their learning all while having FUN at the same time! I love that teaching got its spirit back and that we have been taught by WBT that teaching or learning does not have to be dull. I love how WBT helps/guides teachers out. WBT has found solutions and continues to find solutions for us educators who need all the help we can get. I ♥ WBT!

I love that my kiddos are going home as exhausted as I am....and their exhaustion is from learning. YAY!!!!

I love that my students are no longer greeted by parents asking, "What color were you on today?" In WBT, students learn by rehearsing the rules. No one is "always on red". Students are held accountable for behavior, and know exactly what they need to practice to improve behavior and be successful.

I love the FUN that WBT brings to both students and teachers. A WBT classroom is a positive, engaging, active, learning environment in contrast with a stifled classroom or a pressure cooker.

I also love getting to interact with other WBT teachers. WOO HOO!
Deb Weigel
WBT Intern, Level 1

I am watching a few of our teachers using the practice cards outside during the first few minutes of recess, and it is a little difficult to watch the playground as well as make sure the kids are actually practicing for the correct amout of time. Some use student monitors with a checklist of rules and students to make it go more smoothly for the yard duty.

My question: Could practice time be designated just on Friday, so they have time to Practice in class and earn their card out? If not hold practice Friday during scholar's cafe. Scholar's cafe is a reward I have learned from my peers. It is an indoor lunch on Friday's where kids can hang out in the classroom and have lunch. A tabel would be designated for those who need to practice and did not earn it back from "real time" practice.

How do you all run practice time?

Hi hparsons,

Practice time for me is right before recess, lunch and Center time. I dismiss the rest of the class and the practicers stay behind to do their thing. It often works out that they join the class fairly quickly but they still get their practice and are held accountable for their actions. If we all happen to be outside then I have the kids stand or walk with me. I use my watch or estimate the time. They don't need a card - they know the rules by heart at that point.

I find it helpful that they practice the rule fairly close to when they broke the rule as I and they will often forget why they got the card. Hence, the practice card is not as effective. Also, if they happen to break a rule again during the week they have not maxed out their two cards. Also, they have a clean slate to start fresh.

Liann

WBT Intern

Heather ... I'd be very interested if you could solve this problem ... it comes up occasionally. But let's do see if we can get the kids to do rule practice each day ... let's save the Friday solution as a last resort. Here are several suggestions.
1. Get teachers to agree to hand out fewer white cards for practice ... use rule cues to handle other rule violations ... with fewer kids practicing at recess or lunch, they should be easier to manage. Typically, we wouldn't be giving more than two or three white cards anyway... if you need more control, check out the ton of variations of the Scoreboard in the "levels" menu above.
2. See if one teacher, on a rotating basis, can be assigned to monitor the White Carders ... and really this monitoring doesn't have to be very tight ... it's just enough that the kids are off to the side going through the rules while the other kids play ...
3. If some kids aren't gesturing enough to keep their dear teacher happy ... then increase their time by a minute ...

Post the results here and we'll keep talking!

I agree with the reward system. The other aspect I really love with the reward system is that I no longer have to come up with creative ways that cost money for rewards. I used to have a "treat box", I would get donuts, have end of quarter class parties, etc. Now, I focus on extra recess, "game time", and the end of the quarter reward is fun in the computer lab. My pocket book (and my husband!) really appreciate this aspect!!!