I was introduced to WBT by a YouTube links provided by a graduate professor and am so excited! I used DI (SRA and Saxon Math) for 8 years with K students in SW GA and used gestures, signals, and EXCITEMENT!!!! to take my itty bitties to new heights in reading an math. Sadly, after moving to TN 3 yrs ago I've found it difficult to find a teaching position. DI is NOT welcome here! Yet my heart started beating faster when I saw myself (minus training) on the videos. Finally, someone who taught like I do!

SO... my question is how do you take WBT to districts seeped in traditional methods and progressive ideology that require strict adherence to boxed curriculum (HM and Everyday Math)? How do you break into a market with something you KNOW will make a difference to kids? (This, of course, after, I've read all of your material and practiced with neighborhood kids LOL!)

I would love to hear what you have to say...

I am not sure this will even get close to an answer, but in California we use HM reading, and have used everyday math we now use something else. Anyway, you need to mold the concept of WBT around your curriculum. It is not a stand alone or really direct instruction. There is an old blog on this web site from Jackie that talks about how WBT supports DI (I assume you mean direct instruction).

In whole brain teaching you are using "attention signals and tricks" to deepen understanding of concepts you are teaching with praise and reinforcement. What district does not want that, it helps you gain 99.9 % class attention, better students better learning.

Annette

Thanks so much! I agree about shaping WBT around the curriculum...strategies with content, right?

mamafallin,

WBT is designed to be used as a tool to weave effective strategies throughout instruction. It is complementary to whatever curriculum your school is using. For example, you can use the power pix to teach state standard concepts, and connect them to the LA or Math lessons in your curriculum. As far as taking it to districts; many WBT teachers have found that by implementing WBT strategies and methods, other teachers and supervisors become interested. Then, you can schedule a conference in your school or district so others can receive training in WBT. The conferences are wonderful for "turning the lightbulb on", so to speak.
The WBT games add crazy fun to learning, and students beg to play them! Ummm, students working really hard just so they can earn the opportunity to play a few minutes of a learning game...can you see why we call it "Teacher Heaven"?

Deb Weigel
Co-Director, WBT Model Classrooms