I used the Genius Ladder for inspiration and taught a WBT lesson on spicy synonyms. They already understood the concept of blah to spicy, so it was super easy! The kids loved it.

Also, I added a power point that mirrored what I was saying so kids heard it, and read it, gestured it and taught it!!! It was great!

Just sharing a success!

Thank you for sharing your success, 10 finger woo!

Ms. McGlothern!

What a wonderful idea! Great way to thread another grammar lesson into the genius ladder! I bet your students had an absolute ball! Great to hear that it was such a hit!


Thanks!!

Heather Hansen
Wbt intern
2011/12

Ms. McGlothern,

Awesome idea! I love hearing new and different ways to incorporate the genius ladder into daily instruction and I bet your kiddos enjoyed "Spicy Synonyms."

Tiffany Norton
WBT Intern, 2011-2012

I use Keynote presentations, too, behind me as I'm teaching. It's almost as if the words or phrases serve as an additional visual cue. I'm hoping that when the kids see the words on their standardized tests, it will cue them to the definition or activity and gestures we did in class.

Great idea! I've been trying to get more grammar and more complex ideas into the wall, but I think providing an example to guide them along would be a good addition to that.

Dave Sudia
WBT Intern
2011-2012

That's why I love the genius ladder! It helps build upon language skills and the best part, kids love it. My students beg to do Genius Ladder. Does anyone else have students who beg to do it. I feel that if students beg, you can use it as a reward. Imagine that, rewarding students with learning! Thanks for sharing!

I do have students who beg to do it. I do the Genius Ladder everyday with Title group I work with, K - 5th. I think the Genius Ladder is one of the very best ideas Biffle has ever come up with!

Susan Floyd
WBT Intern
2011-2012

Hello!

I am interested in your Spicy Synonyms...what did that lesson sound like? How long each day do you spend on the Genius Ladder?

Thanks for sharing,

Laura Caisse
WBT Intern, 2011-2012

Laura,

On an average day I spend anywhere from 5-10 minutes on the Genius Ladder. If I'm introducing a new way to create an extender/complexer sentence (i.e.: starting the sentence with 'because') then I take almost 10 minutes.



Tiffany
WBT Intern, 2011-2012