I stumbled across the Power Teaching website several years ago, and I thought the concept sounded brilliant. I have used bits and pieces of the various strategies, but I have never used them consistently enough to see the results that I hoped for. I know that I need to take the dive, but there are several things holding me back. First, I am teaching a very challenging sixth grade class, and I am actually scared of how they will react to this method. Maybe it'll be fabulous, but I can also see it turning into a nightmare. Second, I am currently job sharing with another teacher, so I am not sure only using the strategy some of the time will be effective. Third, I teach in a very traditional intermediate school, so I would definitely stick out like a sore thumb trying this method...maybe that's a good thing, since my classroom will be more fun than everyone else's?

I just finished reading Teaching Challenging Teens, and I love a lot of the strategies. I am uncertain about using the more/less homework as the initial scoreboard motivator. Homework completion with this group is atrocious, and assigning them more when they lose the game just sounds like more work for me. I may try minutes of free time....any other suggestions?

I desperately need something to work because I am losing my mind! I do not enjoy teaching, particularly the rude behaviors and backtalk. I think one of my downfalls when I have implemented these methods in the past is that I have gone too fast and did not provide ample modeling before moving on to the next part of the strategy. What is recommended for pacing to begin with? Introduce the scoreboard and class-yes the first day, the rules the second day, teach-okay the third day? Or do I take a week just to get them going with class-yes? Maybe attending a seminar would help me figure out how quickly to move. Or maybe I just have to dive in and see what happens....

ARGH! Any advice or moral support would be appreciated.

Hi, I can only support you at this point I am new to this method too. I have taught 6th grade in the past and know what you are going through. One word of encouragement would be, start!

These kids need structure, need to know you are in charge, and know they are cared about. I think you'll find that WBT will support you here.

The leaders of this movement can give you very specific moves to get going, watch the videos, keep this forum in your contacts and try for a seminar if you can. Having taught for years I hate to see the "I don't like this anymore attitude:( .

So I say go for it!
With good thoughts- Annette

I'm telling you that WBT changed my life!! I have no more challenging behavior and the kids even told me "I never knew learning could be so much fun". This statement was worth every minute of implementation. I watched a lot of the videos at first and then I went to a conference. My advice would be to attend a conference as soon as there is one close to you. On the first day of school I implemented everything:
Class/yes-remember to change it up or they will get bored with just "class-yes" for example:
I say - Oh oh oh oh Class, and they say Oh oh oh yessss
I say- "Oh, how I LOVE my class, they say: Oh, how I LOVE my teacher
I say;" Oh, how my class is AWESOME, they say: Oh, how my teacher is AWESOME
I have more ideas if you need them.

I also use Hands, hands, hands, and eyes.

Then, I taught the mirror with words and teach/okay method using the rules on the first day.
For example:
I taught mirror with words using rule number one- then they taught their partner at the same time. So on and so forth for the rest. I also do ALOT of think, pair, share in my class also. This gives them opportunity to TALK!
You will have to model first, maybe even several times.

I also implemented score board too. I teach 4th grade and it wasn't too much for them.

I hope this helps. If you need something let me know!! I also teach math and have a a lot of songs that I use! Let me know if you need any!!!

HI
I taught 6th grade for 13 years. I loved working with that age. This year I was moved to 4th due to numbers and budget issues. I first used WBT with the 6th graders. I started out with the Big Seven and made it a fun day. I played the scoreboard for extra recess or sit with a friend and talk time. I stayed away from the homework issue and only used it for a rough day. I really stuck to the scoreboard all year from day one. You have to be consistent each and every day. You can use the scoreboard in so may ways like sports teams, favorite shows, etc.. whatever the older kids are into. 6th graders love to talk and they love each other so I gave them time to hang out if they won. It worked!

Dawn Nelson
WBT Intern

jlbladow4304,

I hope you received a few responses. I am new to this forum and I can understand your hesitation and concerns. I see this post was a few months ago and was wondering how your classroom time has been since.

Hope to hear from you soon!

As Always,
~Jason McKinney

Hi,

I have fifth graders. This year they have really tested my determination with whole brain teaching. I think in part because I'm always getting new students (I have had many leave and new ones come all year) and I do switch with another teacher. In part also because they really care about acting older and not like little kids, it is just major to this group to be grown up.

my homeroom is with the other teacher for two hours and I get his students for 2 hours as well. My team teacher does not use WBT. But they all know the system in my room and while sometimes they do need more reminders and review they do fine switching. I plan to review a lot when weeks or days have just been out of schedule. My teammate does do the scoreboard and class-yes so there is a little similarity.

Last week for instance was the last our standardized testing, I did not see them Monday-Thursday. I can't say Friday was the best day ever for WBT but by the end of the time I had them in the groove again. I can't even say that my students who were with me the entire week were wonderful. Honestly tough we were all worn out and out of the routine. Every teacher I spoke to had similar issues. I can't blame them they spent most of the week in silence.

No two people do things completely alike. I truly believe that if you set it up as the way things are done with you, they will respond. My kids that have pushed my buttons in regards to my management and some of the silly stuff we do, came around and are some of the most involved now. When I see issues I take the kid to the hall or a out of the way spot in class so the others aren't involved in the conversation. We discuss the issues they have and the class expectations. I have found that often it has nothing to do with my style and just needed to be heard. The ones who have a problem with being silly I keep reminding them, that they stand out more for not doing it than if they just did it. Some are not the most enthusiastic but I catch them having fun when they think no one is watching. It's so hard living up to this image of cool in their head.

Ok so i didn't plan on a book for a response. but hopefully I am of some help

You have received a lot of great advice. You just have to decide to give it a try. Remember that there is a ton of support in the free ebooks, the videos, and here with others going through the same thing.
One thing that one of our 5th grade teachers learned, is to stick with it. When you get a student or students who try to "make fun", etc. they are trying to get you to stop what you're doing. If you stop, they win. (The Guff counter is what the student wanted stopped in this particular classroom. But as the other students got on board with it, the problem was forced into accepting. The teacher was just going to stop it at first because she didn't think it was working.)


Use all that is available to you. Good luck, and let us know how it goes.

Just dig in and make it happen....I have recently started blogging about WBT check it out at mrfallis36-mrfallis.blogspot.com/