Chris Biffle's words, "Don't scold, rehearse," run through my head everytime I see my perfect little classroom beginning to deteriorate. They are very simple words, but they have helped to reshape my mood throughout the day. The first rehearsal always comes as students enter the classroom. Instead of my quietly reminding particular students to enter quietly, I call out Rule 4 (or whatever rule strikes me at the moment). Then we start running through the rules in some random order. By the time everyone is seated, the rules have been chorally repeated and gestured, and some randomly selected individuals have stated/gestured the rules, the class is silent and attentive. Throughout the day, rehearsing rules or moving on with any of the Big 7 keeps the class moving along. I like it.

This is such a great point! Thank you for the reminder! Rehearsing the correct way is important and it refocuses without the teacher having to scold. Rehearsing is a great use of scoreboard points! As they rehearse you can 'ping, pong' the points on the scoreboard to make sure they are rehearsed to your satisfaction.

I agree. I teach small groups all day. My groups alternate days as well. We usually start the group with a rehearsal of the class rules. This has eleminated that "tell me everything that has happened since the last time they saw me," everybody talking at once time. By the time we are finished stating and gesturing the rules, we are ready to go! Then each person has a chance to tell me something, while everyone else is listening by following Rule 2. They actually get to interact with me and each other much more because we aren't wasting time to get quiet. The best part is I can still get my lessons completed.

Today we were talking about what makes a good teacher/partner for the Teach/OK. Some of the kids were complaining that their partners weren't being good teachers. We came up with three things:

Class/Yes!

What makes a good teacher?

Students: (Using fingers for each point.)

A good teacher:

- is loud and clear
- turns towards their partner
- helps, with big gestures

We practiced this a few times so now we can say these three things whenever some of the students are lacking in their teaching abilities:)

Liann

WBT Intern

Thank you for sharing. I have been having been struggling with getting students to make distinct, clear gestures. I like the idea of naming specific qualities of a good teacher. I will be making use of this idea.

I like the idea of defining it and chanting it. I'm going to try this. Thanks.
Karen C.

Does anyone have feedback from the parents on rehearsing the rules at night when the note with the white card system?

What is the general consensus, do they support or object to it?

Thanks

Jason,

My parents love the notes sent home letting them know exactly what rule their child broke! I actually haven't had too much trouble having them returned and most of my parents, although I explained that the home practice should be 2-5 minutes, have signed the paper returning it saying their child practiced for 30 or so minutes. My parents are pretty creative for example:

Kid gets a practice card for Rule #2. Parent will have their child spend the evening having to raise their hand and be called on for ANYTHING they want to say or ask for the entire night! LOL! My parents have really bought into the WBT and love that their child isn't SCOLDED for misbehavior but are given the opportunity to practice the correct behavior! We have had great success!

Farrah Shipley
Texas
Kindergarten