I've only been Whole Brain Teaching for a few days, but I already can see a difference. The HUGE difference is that I go home with energy instead of shoulders slumped in defeat. If you're a Whole Brain Teacher in Oregon, let's talk!

Diane

Hi Diane, I'm a high school English teacher in Central Oregon. I've just been introduced to Whole Brain Teaching, and I'm really excited about it. I've been using Class/Yes and I can't believe how awesome it is to have the attention of the whole class quickly. I've also been using the scoreboard. They're playing for free-time at the end of the period and it has made a big difference in how they use class time. We've been studying "To Kill a Mockingbird" and I haven't had much opportunity to use Teach/OK, but I'm taking baby-steps. I'm really excited about starting off next year with WBT.

wweber
Keep trying new things a little at a time as you mention. The more you try it the more comfortable you become, and the less challenges you'll have.

When you have tried something and you have more success, please come back to the forum and post your experiances here.

Power to the Teacher!

Hi Oregon teachers,
I am in the Hillsboro School District and I teacher kindergarten.
I have been with WBT for a couple of months now. I am slowly adding in elements week by week. This week I won't be adding anything as I really want to focus on "perfecting" what I've already introduced. The kids love all of the new stuff. THey don't ALL always respond to class/yes, but when they're busy in their seats doing a paper or art project I don't really expect them to, so I change my class/yes a couple times until most kids respond, then do hands and eyes. It's so funny for other teachers to hear and see my kids go from being noisy and moving around to a room that is completely quiet. =)

Hi all,
I used WBT all year and my fellow teachers were so impressed with the good behavior from my students that they asked for training. We all watched the webinars together. I taught kindergaten and now WBT is being used in K, 1st, pre-k, and 8th grade. I found that praising the one child who answered, "yes" first when I said, "class" and then saying it again created the competition needed to reengage everyone. I also found that saying, "silent,silent,silent" before we went into the hall where small groups are working made a huge difference in hallway behavior.

Hi Megan,

I teach third grade in the David Douglas district. dabbled in WBT for the first time last year, but my plan this year is to set up a model WBT classroom. Can't wait to introduce Class/Yes on the first day!
Rand

wholebrainraynor.blogspot.com/

Hi! I have heard great things about David Douglas. Are you doing Reading First? If so - what are your thoughts?
I've been "promoted" to teach 3rd grade this year. I'm very excited.
Are any of your colleagues using WBT? I've shared with many but I don't know how many, if any, have been to the site.
I am excited to begin my model classroom too. Maybe we can get some Oregon WBT together soon!
There is supposed to be a conference in Grants Pass in November but it's not finalized. Fingers crossed!

Hi Megan,
Technically, we are a Reading First school, but I am trying to implement a Reading Workshop model, and I am using my basal materials less and less.

As far as I know, no one else is using WBT in my district. I am trying to spread the word in my school, and I think one of my team members is interested in doing it with me. This coming year, I am going to be my school's PBIS team leader, and I think that will give me a platform to spread the word about WBT!

Rand

wholebrainraynor.blogspot.com/

On Twitter: @RandRaynor1

Hi Megan! I haven't seen anything about Oregon. If you get any more info, please share. I have never been there before, but have always wanted to.

Rebecca Crooks
WBT Intern
2011-12

I am so excited to hear from other Oregon Teachers. I had such an amazing year with 12 kindergarten kids. This year we will be joined by 12 more to make a first grade with 24 kids. I am encouraged that the whole brain classroom management will keep things under my control. I have copied the first grade pix and can hardly wait to get started. How awesome it would be, if we could have an Oregon WBT conference. I have several teachers and my principal watching closely to see if this works for student achievement in a large class. Keep talking!

Hi fellow Oregon teachers. I teach 4th grade in Dallas. I started WBT last year and had a great time. I found that class/yes worked great! My class of 28 was on an overnight trip with 18 parents at a campground's indoor pool when I had to get everyone's attention. One loud, "CLASS" in the very noisy area and the kids ALL stopped IN THE POOL and said, "YES" and were silent waiting for instruction. Parents were amazed!I was proud of the class!!! For me the hardest part was coming up with gestures for every lesson, but when I did the class had positive, focused energy along with great retention. With class sizes increasing to 32-35 students, due to cutting a teacher, I look forward to using WBT even more!

Hi everyone,

I'm still here and teaching in North Clackamas. I'm excited to see all the new things here on the website like the Writing Game and Super Improvers. It was nice to have last Friday off!

Diane

Hi Diane,
I am trying hard to use my WBT skills. I am having a hard time fitting it into the reading curriculum with so many worksheets and reading groups. It's been much easier to use mirrors and parteners for social studies and science major concepts. What are you finding easiest?

I try to use teach-okay with the reading, because I teach ESL and only have them for short periods each day. Maybe I'll have them teach their partner the meaning of the vocabulary. or have them use it in a sentence with them. I'm going to be adding the 5-part lesson plan, too. There's so much to learn, and it's all good stuff. It's just taking me a long time in between planning lessons!