Hi,
I am doing a paper on Whole Brain Teaching after having had a training in the district I sub in. It was so much fun, and so successful with students, I just want to inform all the people I know about it. I am taking a "Children Around the World" course, and I am supposed to talk about how Whole Brain Teaching is good for different children from different cultures, socio economic statuses, etc.

I was wondering if anyone reading this, who does this in their country, could tell me if, when you decided to use Whole Brain Teaching, what specifically made you choose it over other approaches, like Reggio Emilio for example.

Also, what is the socio economic status of the area you are in? Languages? Traditions in teaching subject matter and morals, etc?

Is there anything culturally specific that makes Whole Brain Teaching more feasible?

How is it working for you if you are using it? What are the positives and negatives, especially in a cultural context?

Any information you can give me would be appreciated. My professor was so vague, I'm not really sure what other questions to ask, so hopefully I can compile enough for my paper. Also, if Chris reads this, if you have any information about using Whole Brain Teaching in different countries, I would SO appreciate hearing it. Thank you!

Well I have only started to use WBT this school term. I found the website when searching the internet for resources for maths games and reading games. I had to jointhe website to download superspeed maths and speedread 1000. I went from there really. I browsed the site and watched the videos, then went to the youtube videos of other teachers using the strategies. I have so far introduced: crazy professor game, speedmaths, speedread and agreement bridge. I am only now starting to introduce the class rules and the teach and mirror etc. I do adapt things slightly. For instance the spelling in speedread is not the same as UK spelling so I have had to adapt that and create my own list.
So far my children are enjoying it. Their favourite game is crazy professor by far. They love the actions and the expressive voices and it has really upped their enthusiasm for reading.
The school I teach in is the only school in an area of the highest deprivation in my county. The children's parents are largely unemployed. The proportion of children with SEN is over 50%. The school normally sits around the bottom half of the league tables although this varies year on year according to the intake. The school in the past has had behaviour problems and a problem with staff retention. It has been in special measures after failing government inspections 5 years ago. It is a tough school to work in but at the same time the most rewarding and the most fun. We use a range of teaching approachs to keep the children engaged and enthusiastic. And the children are open and receptive to any new idead or teaching techniques. Since I started WBT, albeit in my own way, several other staff members have approached me interested in what I am doing. Mainly it's the speaking and listening elements of WBT that have got their interest and the active element of the teaching. A junior teacher at the school is considering trying out some of the ideas, so I guess you could say it is spreading!
I like WBT because of the fun, active element. It's amazing to see 100% engagement in your class. And THAT'S what makes WBT different from other teaching styles and methods. I am definitely going to introduce more WBT methods as the year goes on, and my confidence in the method increases.

I know my post is a bit late but I thought my comments would be of interest to someone out there at least!

This is my second year of using WWT beahavioural management in my class. It works very well, especially with children that other school staff have found difficult to manage.