One neat thing did happen today. One of my students from last year, a Freshman, stopped me on the bus lot and said "thank you so much for teaching us that 'stuff' (Whole Brain Teaching) last year. I used it preparing for my EOC's (End of Course Tests) and passed them all easily on the first try. It made everything so much easier!"

That is great news Jeff!

We just got our state assesment scores back (TAKS Test) and as 6th graders only 68% of my students passed, I spent a whole year Whole Brain Teaching with these students and we got 90% passing as 7th graders!! My students really felt like the "Course Questions" idea from Jackie and Chris really pushed it over the edge - they were confident and performed well!

Congratulations to both of you!

Jeff - what skills did the student feel helped so much?

Sara - What are "Course Questions"?

I do the same thing except it is mostly past/present vocabulary with the definitions and gestures, or techinques we have discussed in class.

This is copied from the thread Jackie wrote:


Chris Biffle suggested "Course Questions".
Interested? Read on!...

1. Everything you teach should be a question...with an answer.
2. Create 'cards' (on cardstock) with approx. 10-15 questions that refer back to course material that your class has learned (with gestures).
3. Make 2 copies of the card (or you can make ONE card 2-sided. I prefer two separate cards)...one has the questions AND the answers, the other side has just the questions.
4. Students are in pairs. With high energy and BIG gestures, Partner 1 stands and answers the questions that Partner 2 (who is sitting) asks and encourages with 'helpsies' if needed. The answering partner uses BIG gestures, lots of energy, but the ASKING partner ALSO uses big gestures when asking the questions and providing help.
5. When you yell "SWITCH!" they yell "Switch!" and now it's Partner 2's turn to answer and they stand, while Partner 1 sits and asks / offers help.

Final note: I create the cards on various colored cardstock (as a set of one color)so I can easily spot the set I want. I use one set for approx. 1 week, then I switch out the set, and I keep infusing new ones and pulling back the old ones throughout the year.