Shannon,
So glad you found us! All the ebooks can be a little overwhelming at first but when you see it in action it begins to really make sense. I am going to suggest that you go to YouTube and search WHOLE BRAIN TEACHING and get a feel for real life, in classroom demos of the method.
As for the conduct/behavior management system. I totally understand where you are coming from with trying to figure out how you handle individual behavior issues and give a grade (if your school requires it). I struggled with that in the beginning also. Here is what I have found:
1. The WBT method really will completely change the way you look at classroom management and behavior systems. It is cheap (FREE) and doesn't require alot of "stuff" like rewards and punishment!
2. WBT scaffolds to all behavior levels in the classroom. From the most perfect angle to the really challenging student that wants to make you pull your hair out. There is a level for everyone.
3. The WBT Scoreboard levels are broken up so that you always have something in your back pocket. No more worrying about what to do next because you have promised them everything under the sun and they still won't follow the rules. The rewards that you students are working for are intrinsic in the system. You students are basically "playing" for the opportunity to "make you be quiet" LOL! What student doesn't want the teacher to stop teaching. Now we are not talking about a huge chunk of time you stop teaching and in the end you will see that you aren't really stopping you teaching. Mind Soccer, the ultimate reward for you students, is a review game that students will beg to play. Even though you are not "teaching" they don't realize that you are teaching through review. How cool is that!
4. Other behavior systems focus on what your students are doing wrong. WBT focuses on what you students do right! It is a positive system that allows your students to practice, practice, practice the rules in the classroom and ultimately follow rule #5 Keep the dear teacher happy.
Now to explain the levels a bit more (although I think the ebooks do a better job than me):
Level 1: The scoreboard. Stick with this level as long as possible. Students are working for smilies (by following the rules) but if they don't they get a frownie. Because of the _+/-3 rule YOU THE TEACHER ARE ALWAYS IN CONTROL! If they are 3 ahead you look for the smallest thing to give them a frownie for. If they are 3 down...you look for the smallest thing to give a smilie for. It keeps the game close and keeps them on the edge of their seats. In the beginning you want to keep the rewards small...and I mean small...1-2 more/less of recess (LESS IF THEY LOSE THE SCOREBOARD)...1-2 pages more/less of homework (this one I love because only you know what the original amount of homework was so even if they win and are supposed to get 1 less pages you can always say "well you were gonna get 4 pages but now you will get 3" even when they were only going to get 3 to begin with. Are we playing our students? You betcha!!! That is the beauty! Students will work really hard to get out of the tiniest bit of work! Same goes for mind soccer. 1-2 minutes of mind soccer at the end of the day! They are reviewing material so as teachers we are ok with them "playing a game"! And what is 1-2 minutes of class time if for the other minutes during the day they were focused and work hard to learn. Catching on? This level should get the majority of your students. However you will always have 2-3 that just don't care about points on the board or free time.
Level 2: The practice cards. This is where individual behavior comes in! The scoreboard is still there for the other students that are on track with just the scoreboard. But now you have a way to target those few that are still bucking the system. Now when they break the rules they are basically begging for the opportunity to "practice" the rule in order to become proficient at following it! And they are not having to lose everything for it! I mean if a kid breaks a rule and you take away everything they have...what is there to keep them motivated. So if a students breaks the rules and has to practice they will stay in from recess 1-2 minutes per practice card (never more than 2 per day) and practice that rule. Once practiced, the parents will get a note that must be signed, and the student is let go to continue about the day remembering that he/she is working on following that rule! There are different levels explained in the ebook that go with the practice cards!
If your school requires a conduct grade be given, as mine does, this is how I give a grade!
Up until Thanksgiving we are scoreboard only. So if we win everyone gets a 95% for conduct (because we all know that no one is perfect). If we lose, everyone gets an 80% for conduct and we need to practice the rules before going home. See, no fail system! But wait....what about those students that were just off the wall!!! Well I am going out on a limb here and saying...pick your battles and know that eventually you will get to address that child. But don't sacrifice the rest of your class worrying about one child at the beginning of the year. Remember you have 10 months to bring that child around to your way of thinking.
After Thanksgiving, when practice cards are introduced, our grading changes. Now each practice card is worth 5 points (remember no more than 2 per day) deducted from your daily grade. That daily grade is based on whether we won the scoreboard or not. If we won as a class then those practice card points come off of the 95% if we lost then those practice card points come off the 80%! Still with me? This gives me a "grade" for the grade book and takes into account not only the classroom as a whole and the individual student! But as you see my students can never have below a 70% for their daily conduct grade! Again NO FAIL! Because I truly believe that every student can be reached on some level and it is our job as teachers to find that level! There are so many levels to go onto from here with the scoreboard (ie. Guff counter (means our daily score is 90% if we win the scoreboard)...Independents (automatically receive a 70% for behavior until they get off independents). Levels past the Independents are put on a earn points system instead of take away points but I have not had to go past independents yet!!!!
Disclaimer! You knew there would be one! If I could get rid of the whole "conduct grade" thing for good I would! I believe wholeheartedly in the WBT system and don't believe you need to give a grade to get the desired behavior you want from your students in your classroom! Not to mention that each child is different and has different home lives and backgrounds so their behavior is a direct reflection of that and why "punish" a child with a bad grade because their life at home isn't as wonderful as the ANGEL in your classroom! However, my school requires me to give a conduct grade and show how I will establish it so it isn't unfair. I just had to figure out how to do it without giving anyone a failing grade for conduct!
So there you have it! I hope I didn't bore you to tears and you hung with me! Keep us updated and I am so glad to have another fresh face on the WBT forums! Ask questions...introduce yourself...keeps us posted on your classroom!
Power to the teachers!
Farrah Shipley
WBT Kindergarten
Co-Director WBT Model Classrooms
Forum
