Last week, Phoenix was lucky enough to have Chris and the WBT staff hold a conference. At the conference, they introduced some buttons that highlight some of the WBT classroom management strategies. I chose to purchase the Rule #5 buttons (blue and pink for boys and girls). I introduced the buttons to my class the very next day and they have proved to be a huge motivator.

Basically, the Rule #5 as most of you know is to keep the Dear Teacher Happy... in my class, I have modified that last rule to coincide with our schools Character Counts program... my Rule #5 is Uphold the Pillars of Character (which keeps the Dear Teacher Happy!) I asked my students to think about one boy and one girl that really show good citizenship, respect, fairness, trustworthiness, responsibility and have a caring attitude. The students voted, we tallied up the votes and the two kids that were elected, have been given a few extra responsibilities in class. For example, at our school, the Rule #5 kids call upon table groups that are packed up and ready to line up to go to specials, lunch or recess. They are also my paper passer outers and when I am using the mirror strategy, they stand up and model what the students should be doing as well.

The kids seem to really love the extra attention and being helpers... it seems to make a huge impact on them that THEY were elected by their peers as being the cream of the crop!

Chris has informed me that the buttons were just introduced at our conference, but if you would like to purchase them you can email his daughter at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ... she designs other buttons for the class as well. They are only a few dollars a peice, but they are really are worth it!!

Good luck to all!

I was one of the lucky teachers to purchase some buttons and have been using them for the past week. ALl I can say is they are HUGE motivators. I started out picking two students ("leaders") a day to wear the buttons, and use them in a very simlilar way we were taught at the October 14th conference. I let them pick out the button of their choice, although it doesn't matter. I simply point at one student and the student will say, "CLASS! (in whatever voice or style ex: Class Class!, Classity Class! Phoenix, Arizona!) and the rest of the class will say, "YES!" It is amazing. I wasn't sure how long it would take them to master, but they learned that day! The other student I pick does the "TEACH/OKAY" technique. So they will clap, "XX TEACH!" and the rest of the students say, "XX OKAY!" The response from the other students is the same as if I had initiated it. It is so cool! I love sitting back and watching! :)lol You will see how adorable it is! I love that they can be so involved in the teaching process. They beg me every morning if they can do it! They want that power!lol

I have not started using my buttons yet, but it is great to hear the success it is having in your classes. I was going to start Wednesday, but that particular day students were being a bit more silly. I told students, I was going to to choose students leaders that get to wear a special button, but I don't think you are ready yet. I stated that the students I choose have to be an example for the other students. You should have seen the shift in attitudes that day. Since then students have been asking when I will pick the teachers. I have really built it up in my class. My students are so eager!!!! All this over a button! It's great!!!!


Toni Garcia
WBT Intern Level 1

Rule 5 or other buttons will they be at the Nov. 6th conference or shouled I look into getting them now? I'd rather wait for directions but I am so eager to keep the flow of WBT going in my room and be ready at any time to improve my skills in this program. If not I'll wait until the 6th.

Annette:cheer:

Annete, I'm sure they will have the buttons! They are a big hit in the classroom! It is really encouraging to see students wanting to lead the class. Even though you may not have the buttons yet, you can start electing student leaders. This will get them in the spirit of wanting to lead. The buttons are just an added plus!!

I began using the WBT buttons as soon as I returned from the conference in Phoenix. I told my students they were ready for a new level of student leadership. They were so excited! After a week or so of choosing my "Alphas" to lead, I decided to have a little talk with one of my young "challenges", to see if he was ready to accept the responsibility of being student leader for "Class, OK". He told me how a leader should act, and I asked him to show me how a leader should not act. Then, I told him that I would think about it, and be watching to see when he was ready. Today was the day!!! M___ stood tall and proud as he called, "Class..." All morning, he worked hard to use his energies in the correct manner, to call the class to attention. The whole class celebrated and cheered for M_____ before lunch, patting him on the back and telling him what a great job he did as a student leader. We know, as teachers, that many of our challenging students have leadership capabilities, but often are using them to undermine the leadership of the teacher. Thanks to WBT, we can provide leadership training in bite-sized pieces, creating successful experiences for any and all students. Whoo Hoo!!!

I have been using the buttons since the conference in Az as well. Since then, I have made it a point to to choose some of my more challenging students to be leaders. I am amazed at how good those students feel and how proud I feel when I see them leading. Some of my toughest students are proving to be wonderful leaders. I'm like a proud mama when I FINALLY see them doing what they are capable of doing. I can see the huge boost of positive self esteem they are gaining from it. Plus, my lessons go so much smoother since I no longer have to deal with them as I am teaching. Wow, students going from interrupting a class...to leading a class! How awesome is that?!

The buttons seem to really be making my students happy. They have been so excited to get a chance to be a leader. I agree with everything that has been said above. It has really brought a great new energy in our classroom. Plus, I think the students enjoy responding to their classmates more than me!!!

I'm still in awe with these buttons. I love how these leaders take their job so seriously. The other day, the speech therapist came into my room to tell me some info I needed to know about an upcoming meeting. Normally, the class might start to get a bit loud because they know I am busy talking. However, when I was talking and the class volume increased, one of my leaders said, "Class! they responded, "Yes! and immediately became quiet. The speech therapist was in awe of what she witnessed! She couldn't believe it and told me how awesome that was!