I used whole brain teaching last year in my 4th grade, self contained class and it worked out wonderfully!!! I have no doubt that I will be using it again this year, however, I will be teaching 5th grade Math this year and I will have 4 different classes. How can I use WBT with just a math based classroom and make it effective for all 4 classes? I need your help! This is only my second year teaching and I could really use some advice!

I have taught upper grade, and to say this they have unique challenges. With 4 classes and the same topic, I might suggest challenging them against each other for scoreboard points. I'd for sure use mind soccer as a reward to review concepts. All other rules, and the 5 step lesson should work well. Check out you tube there are several upper grade videos of math teachers using WBT, in fact I watched one several times and now know more than I did in high school.

Annette

I teach 5th grade and see 3 different groups of students during the day. I divide my scoreboard into 3 chunks and, like Annette suggested, have them compete against each other as well as themselves. For example, the winning group gets to play mind soccer but each group is playing against themselves for extra recess everyday!

Have you read through the Model Classroom e-book yet? If not, check out the part on Prove It! I used it with my math students last year and saw great gains.

The "Big 7" will apply for all four of your classes. I'd suggest you do what's comfortable for you and tweak things as needed.

Good luck and let us know how it goes!

Tiffany
WBT Intern, 2011-2012