I am a teacher in Thailand new to Whole Brain techniques. I am on my second day and seem to be getting the hang of it rapidly. I teach English to 1-3rd graders. I find the techniques fantasically adaptable to my goal of trying to get kids to use the language in creative fashion using the techinques I learned while in Peace coprs in Africa.
A very strange/sad thing happened today however in class. I teach at a private school and here and some parents will put their kids who have learning disabilities into private schools because public schools will put them (where they belong)in special classes. This however is a loss of face.
I have one such student in my second grade class. I dont know his disability but normally he just sits in class, smiles to himself and looks at his hands while running them in cirlces in fron of his face. It is impossible for him to join in the class. Before this wasn't a problem for him because some of the non motivitaed students would slip through the net and he wouldnt stick out. Now with all the kids participating and it being completley beyond him to do, so he is completely left out. While all the other kids were doing "teach-ok, mirror, class-yes, whatever, he became obviously upset and then just put his head on his desk and started crying uncontrollably. I am not sure much can be done about this. Any ideas? My guess is this being Thailand he will spend the rest of the semester crying. I am sure his parents are incapable of facing up to the fact he has a learning disability and the school for its reasons will not encourge the parents to put him in an appropriate program. Here in Thailand NOBODY fails-that is the rule at all public schools and most private ones. To fail is to lose face. That is what i am up against culturally.

Hello. Not sure if I can help much, just wanted to say I am in the same situation as you. I was in the Peace Corps and now teach English in Paraguay in a private school. Here in Paragauy, special needs students go to private schools because public schools won´t accept them. So in my class we have ADHD, different learning problems and highly intelligent srudents all together with mainstream class. Keeps us teachers dancing!
This year (we begin classes in Feb) we are preparing the English department to use WBT and hopefully expand to the Spanish dept b y mid-year if our results are as good as we think they will be.
Please let me know any good tips and how the year is going!
Also, did you begin the year with WBT? What is the English level of your students?
Good luck!

No I stared swith WBT last week halfway though our sememster. I am teaching what would be 1-3 grade in the states. It doesnt seem to matter when you start at least in my experience. Hasta

I taught in Malaysia, so I understand some of the issues you are dealing with. Do you have a tender-hearted student who could pair with this child for a while? Have you had a chat with the child to ask what he is feeling? It might just be too many new things at once, and he is feeling overwhelmed. Once he gets used to the WBT routines, he may feel secure enough to share with a partner. I would not give up. My autistic student struggled at first, but then he began mirroring and repeating with a partner. By the end of the year, he was participating fully and learning!!!
Keep us posted on how it is going!
Deb Weigel
WBT

Thailand,, I had one student in my class nearly has the same case,, he didnt involve himself in any of the activities,, he sometimes used to pretend that he follows directions, so I tried to find out ways to deal with him without attracting his attension,, first, I chose him to be my watcher during the break time (it was only between us), he was very excited and interested,, second,, I chose him to be the group leader two days a week instead of once,, third, I motivated him and praised him so often,, encouraging him by Awesome badges,, stickers, thank you notes and so on.
The most importnt thing was challenging him infront of the children not to do something such as answering a question by saying to him: Bet you can't! he used to reply: Bet I can!(I usualyy choose a question that I'm sure he can answer) or drawing a picture or even colouring nicely,, and so on,, You can't believe the changes that happened to this grade one boy,, I really have a great feeling about him now,, his parents don't know how to thank me,, Now after three months teaching, he can read and participate in class discussions,,

Wulf,
You may start WBT whenever you feel like you can start,, it doesn't matter which part of the year,, for me ,, I started it this year from the first school day,, but before, I think it was the second term when I first was intersted and able to introduce this method,, Just go and start,,

According to speacil needs,, I have no idea about teaching them when they are mixed between other students,, but I believe in teaching through WBT,, Give it a try,,, it might work..
thanks

Thank you for all the good advice. Here in Paraguay we start classes mid-February so I still have a few weeks to get prepared. I´ve been reading all I can on WBT and working with the othere English teachers to stir up new ideas.

I will be posting my "fabulous" results in just s few short weeks!

Thanks........and have a good school year!
Monicca Wulf

I teach second grade in the US, but I have had many students with special learning needs. This year I have a very quiet student who has memory issues. I paired him with two other students to form a triad. This way he can participate but there isn't the big pressure for him to perform (switch.) I do notice that as the year is progressing, he is baginning to use more gestures and speak a little more.

Keep trying!

Just an update from Paraguay. We have been in school 4 weeks and WBT is going strong. In an EFL setting WBT works well, just a slower process for lower levels. And, not only is the English dept using this technique but some of the Spanish teachers are using WBT. Also, the school principal teaches at an University at night and is using it there too! So put Paraguay on the WBT map! Thank you, Monicca Wulf

Just wondering how WBT is doing in Paraguay and Thailand? I don't have any suggestions that haven't been mentioned. Just a lot of positive praise for the littlest big of participation or when he stops crying. Class cheers FOR the student if that doesn't upset him more.
That would take a lot of research but WBT specifically for Special Ed would be a great idea!

been reading about WBT for the past two weeks and i find it interesting. I am an EFL teacher trainer in Thailand. I will definitely give this a try.

"Mrs. Maestra’s response was, “That might be true. But
what your just did breaks an important rule ... it doesn’t make me.."

got this from WBT_E-Book Final. Just a minor slip in editing. YOU instead of YOUR.

i love WBT for Challenging Kids.

Wow!

"The actions of challenging students instantly unified the class
behind behind the teacher’s leadership. Disruption triggered class
unity!" ANOTHER ONE ON PAGE 66. SAME BOOK. just helping out perfecting this wonderful book.

Not only does everybody pass, learning disabilities are not acknowledged by parents in order to save face amongst their teachers and especially their peers. Keep and open mind and keep chuggin' along because at the end of the day that's all you can do. And remember, you came here to enjoy teaching!!

Take it with a steady stride...It's useful if you have no other route!!