I teach a remedial reading classroom called READ 180. I have 2 6th grade classes and one 7th grade class. Each class is made up of between 10-15 students who are, on average, 3-4 grade levels behind in reading. Do you think WBT would work well in such a small class? I am extremely excited about using it, but am worried about how it will work in such a small group. Any opinions?

Here are some more questions I've come across as well while looking into the material:
1. PowerPix seems amazing, especially for my remedial students. Could it be adjusted to be used in Middle School? The highest level I found in the free material was 3rd grade. Our school is having a huge focus this year on root words. I was thinking of using PowerPix to teach roots...good idea or bad idea?
2. I'm trying to figure out how much of this to introduce on the first day. I've looked over both the WBT for Challenging Kids and the Power Teaching Challenging Teens and am slightly confused. I was thinking that for the first day I would introduce: the score board, "Class"-"Yes", "Teach-Okay", and the 5 rules (with gestures). Is this an appropriate amount for a middle school classroom or too much?
I know I have a lot of questions, sorry.

WBT works with ANY class size! I student-taught in a remedial class like the one you've mentioned, and I wish I had had WBT (it was 7th Grade Lang Arts) It is absolutely great in Middle School. Most of the students probably think you are a "dork" anyways, and it is SO much fun to get them involved. I present it as a kind of "Ok, I know I'm dorky, but I'm letting you play games and get out of your seats... have you been allowed to move this much and make this much noise in other classes?"

As far as the PowerPix go, look over the PowerPix since many of the concepts pictured may still work in your classroom. I teach 5th and 6th grade and I know even though the standard/PO numbers are different, the concept is similar, ESPECIALLY since the kiddos you teach are a few grade levels behind. One thing you might try is to download the Power Pix and, depending on your tech-savvyness, either print and white-out or photoshop out the standards. My experience is that the kids KNOW they are in a remedial class and do NOT want to be reminded of the fact that they are learning lower stuff.

Speaking of which, one of the best things about WBT is that it is SO customizable. One of the mantras is Keep a Big Back Pocket and It's a Long Year, so you have PLENTY of time to implement what works for you and your classes. My years in sixth grade worked like middle school, I only taught Language Arts and the kids rotated to the rest of my team members for the other subjects. This meant I kept four charts on the wall with four different goals... It seems like a lot of work, but I had four "sections" on most of my bulletin boards for each "group" or period, so I just moved to the next chart when the next set of kids came in. (I had previously tried to keep track of it the other way, using one chart, but we were using longer term goals that would span days or weeks at a time and the kids didn't want the other classes interfering with their points, so it was easier to keep four different charts that I just covered with an overhead sheet and used dry erase on.)

As far as the WBT for Challenging Kids and Power Teaching for Challenging Teens, I know the program USED to be called Power Teaching, but maybe a guru with more experience than me could clarify?

Wow MRSGETTYS answer rocks!

I would just like to ad that I think that you use what is comfortable for you. A lot depends on your personality too; you can do WBT in your own style. You can do small or big... As far as pictures for the root words, I think that is a great idea. Play with it and see what you come up with, and please share share share ! I will give that one some thought and see if I can come up with something too.

As far as class size remember like it was all ready said, it is a long year, and the student is subject to habituation in the brain. Our brains are stimulated by novelty so even WBT can become stale. I love lobster but if I ate it daily I most likely would not be thrilled with it daily. Thus, keep it fresh by adding new things all the time. I just got done reading Brain Friendly Strategies for the incussion classroom and here book was basically all that WBT all ready is, I was shocked.

Anyway, I love the brain toys, and those work well with small groups, and if you introduce just one a month starting with the second month you will lots of new novelty for the small group.

Best wishes and keep us posted.

Tamara Alvarado
WBT Intern
2011/2012

I teach Title I Reading to small groups all day. I have k-5 graders. My 4th & 5th graders are anywhere from 1 grade level to 4 grade levels behind. I do use WBT with them and find it works very well. I have each group 30-45 minutes. I use the Super Speed 100, 1000, The Crazy Professor, Biffy Tunes, Power Pix, and this year will add the Genius Ladder along with a few other new things in writing. I didn't always use the Class-Yes when I had a group of 2 or 3. We did do the Teach/Okay. I did use group leaders. I did use the scoreboard some, although I didn't really need it. Most of the kiddos I work with want to come to my group and behaved well. There were a few 4th and 5th grade boys that required the use of the scoreboard with their group. I will probably try to use it with all the groups this year just to build some more fun along with the great management it provides. My experience is that WBT works in any group size. You may need to do some adjusting as you go, but it will work. Have a great year!

Susan Floyd
WBT Intern
2011-12

Hi,
I teach Title I reading to small groups all day. I work with K-5th grades. Some of my students are 3 or more grade levels behind in reading as well. I found that WBT worked great with them. I used the Teach/Okay a lot, but didn't always use the Class-Yes. (It just wasn't needed with a group of two or three.) I used the scoreboard with the groups that needed it, but this year I plan to use it with all my groups. I think it will make the class more fun for some of the students. I used a lot of the games in my groups such as, Super Speed Letters and Phonics (for my K-1 students), Super Speed 100, Super Speed 1000 (for all my students), and The Crazy Professor. I taught with Biffy Tunes and Power Pix. I actually taught the 5 parts of a friendly letter (2nd grade Power Pix) to my fourth graders. I found that the story elements of setting, main characters, plot, author, and illustrator were in kindergarten through 3rd grade Power Pix, but is still reinforced in 4th & 5th grades. Just look through the Power Pix that are available and use what you can. Some of your students sound as if they would be on these levels anyway. If you find you have skills that need to be taught that aren't in a Power Pix, design your own based on the format that you see on the Power Pix provided. Always check the forum. I have found several Power Pix that teachers have created and posted to share with others there.
I think you will soon agree that WBT works whatever the size of the group you are teaching.

Good luck and keep us posted on how things are going with you.
Have a great WBT year!
Susan Floyd
WBT Intern
2011-12