Chris Biff shared the following story about the technique-Rehearsal. Rehearsal is used in place of scolding our students. Chris provided a superb example of rehearsal from board member Andrea Schindler who wrote to an educator who was having problems with students responding too slowly, or inappropriately, to the Class-Yes request. Chris explained, "This is the best example I've seen of our rehearsal technique ..."
Question, how many times do you repeat Class! Do you only say it once? You've got to say it a couple times, varying it up a bit. If they make a mistake, practice. For example: Claaaaaaasssss" they say "yeeeeeeesss" "Class! Class!" they say "YEs! YEs! "Classity class!" they say "Yessity yes!" Now if you don't get their attention after a couple variations, you say "Mighty groan!" (saddy point on the scoreboard) I didn't have everybody. Would you like to try again? They say "Yes!" Then you say: "When I say Class! You say Yes!" And try it again. NO matter how many students you get you say: What's rule #1? (they say "Follow directions quickly"!) You say: what was that? Follow directions sloooooowly??? They say no! "Follow directions quickly"!
You say "Well when I say "Class" everybody must say "Yes!", but also you have to stop what you are doing and look at me as fast as you can. Like lightening speed fast! Can you be lightening speed fast?
They say: yes! Tell your neighbor "I'm lightening speed fast, are you lightning speed fast?" They tell their neighbors. Tell your neighbor "I bet your not as fast as me!" They tell their neighbors. You say "Okay, let's see who is lightening speed fast. Practice being busy." (they practice looking down or doing their work~ you will probably have to model at first." Then call: "Claaaaassssss!" They say: "Yeeeeesssss" Say: "Class! Class!" They say: Yes! YEs! Now point out a couple of students who were really fast. (I saw Sam was fast, Michael was fast and Sarah was fast! Their heads almost spun off
they were so fast!) Give a smiley point. Then say: Buuuuuuuut I didn't have everybody. Give a saddy point. Would you like to try again? They say yes! You say: Can you be as fast as Sam, Michael, & SaraH? They say "YES!" Tell your neighbor: "I'm faster than Sam, Michael, &SaraH!" Okay! PRactice being busy! Say: Claaaaaaaasssss! They say: Yeeeeeesss! You say: "OOOOOOhhhhh Class!" They say: "Ooooooohhh Yes!" Great job, let me hear your "Mighty oh Yeah!" (smiley point) This is just a sample "Rehearsal" for CLass yes. It should help to "iron out" the problems. the better they get~ the less rehearsal they will need~ and they will eventually just graduate to mini~rehearsals occasionally. It has to be a challenge, a game to see "how good they can do".
Plus, ping ponging them back and forth on the scoreboard keeps them on their toes.
I'm hoping we can begin a discussion about the expereinces you have had with the rehersal technique.
I'm looking forward to hearing from you! Below is one of my expereinces:
Expereince has proven that when rehearsal is carried out effectively, students self regulate their responses. As needed, I do rehearse Class-Yes with my students. In general, periodically reviewing expectations with students, keeps classroom expectations fresh and on the fore front of the students' mind. I also suggest reviewing Class-Yes any time a sub will be with the class. In addition to providing verbal and written directions of the Class-Yes, the sub is encourage to review Class-Yes first thing with my students. So here is the scenario, the sub greets the students at the door, immediately following the students' entrance, the sub begins rehearsal. Initially, the students sit stunned with their jaws hitting the tops of their desk when the sub begins rehearsing the Class-Yes. Could you imagine what the students are thinking, "How on earth does the sub know about the Class Yes. (The second time you are out, you no longer have the shock element, but the students do figure they will still be accountable for their behavior because 'my teacher doesn't just use 'regular' subs, she/he uses Whole Brain Subs.' This has been very effective and Subs rant about the students behavior and how pleasurable my class was...this is every teacher's dream- returning to a positive report the day after an absence! Once a sub even told me when the she began rehearsing, one of the students raised his hand and informed her that, "Mrs. David never punishes...she only practices!"
I look forward to reading about your expereinces with Rehersal!
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