This was my first week back and it was awesome! It helps that I have a more well behaved class than ever before to begin with, but WBT is having a big impact as well!

For once I'm not stressed at the end of the day. I don't feel the need to run home and curl up on the couch. I actually feel motivated to do school work.

I've realized so much as I tried new techniques. When the kids say "lines, lines, lines" it helps prevent them from doing any other talking! Woohoo! Although we need to work on tweaking this one next week.

The kids LOVE "mirror"! But I have to tell them to turn off the mirror at times.
The whole teach-ok thing is going to be great for my ESL kids. It gives them a chance to practice speaking!

And the rules!!!!!! AMAZING!!!! I rewrote them to fit my classroom but we are practicing daily with gestures and with the exception of just 2 kids, they are doing wonderfully! We even made our own rules video. Its GREAT to be able to use and refer to the rules as needed. They have already become an integral part of my classroom like never before. Rather than getting frustrated and yelling over the class when an issue arises, I calmly say "Classity class"
-"Yessity yes"
-"Rule number one"
-"Rule number one- raise your hand to speak"

Voila! No more griping and complaining at the kids. No more increase in stress and blood pressure!

I am very hopeful for this year!

Thank you WBT!
Allison

This is great! Keep it up and update us on how it is going.

Yay - glad you are loving it!! I start next week and your positive results are motivating me!! It is the first time really starting the year with WBT for me. Looking forward to seeing how it will go!!

Liann

"Lines, lines, lines" is amazing! They can't talk about anything else! I also use, "seats, seats, seats" when we are transitioning from the floor to their desks. It works just as great. Allison, that is really cool that you made a rules video with your class. The rules do work wonders! My students get so excited to do "mirror words" and "mirror." I still can't believe how much it captures their attention. I also really enjoy seeing my students using, "teach, okay!" We use it when we are doing blending on chart paper. After reading the words on each line, I tell the students to "teach!" and they say, "okay!" I love seeing them taking turns reading the words fluently to each other. It gives them the added practice they desperately need!

@ Allison:
So great to hear your enthusiasm~ sounds like you caught the WBT magic of just rehearsing/practicing the rules~ like you said, it sure beats the raised blood pressure!!! I am curious to hear how the TEach! Okay! is going. Micro~lecturing with gestures and then using the TEach! Okay! is excellent for all students but for Second LAnguage LEarners it not only helps them to practice the language correctly, it also facilitates TPR (Total Physical Response) which is a successful research based strategy! LEt us know how things are going!!!

The teach/ok is awesome! I can really see how it will help the ELL students. They get a chance to practice the vocabulary and concepts in a non-threatening environment with their partner. Throughout the week I have to frequently model appropriate behavior with the teach/ok. Remind them to face their partner and listen attentively and encourage their partner. But I'm sure that is to be expected.

I have had three random people say "I hear you are doing great things in your class." At first I was a little nervous as to how well I'd be able to implement WBT procedures and how they would be received, but I guess something is working!

After 5 weeks, my students are starting to get comfortable (the honeymoon is over). I've got to keep focused on the score board and rules to maintain the positive environment. On Thursday when my class earned more happies than frownies they got to do the Cha Cha Slide. They LOVED it and begged for more!