I was wondering how incorporate WBT in with the Basel reader we have to use. The series we have is Reading street. I was thinking of just breaking down the suggested topics into mini lessons. Also do you do small group/ guided reading groups? If so what are the other students doing during this time? Centers/ stations/ Daily 5 stuff? Ahhh so much stuff to figure out. Thanks for any help

Oki Girl,
My school uses Reading Street as well. Look into the standards that you are teaching in the basal lesson, and teach the standards using WBT Techniques. You are on the right track, thinking about breaking the lessons into chunks. We can do that with any subject matter, or any curriculum.
I do small group instruction, and I continue to weave WBT procedures into the group, even though I may have only 6 students with me at a time. For example, if we are working on math facts, I can incorporate Superspeed Addition. When I am teaching a small group, I don't use the volume that I use in whole class instruction, but I do use the techniques of partnering, paraphrasing, and critical thinking. While I am conducting small groups, my other students are in centers, working on computers, or sometimes individual or group projects. During that time, they know that Rule 2 and Rule 3 are not in effect, because I am with a small group. I actually wear a "magic scarf" when I am working with small groups. The students know that when I am wearing my magic scarf, they need to ask their peers and problem solve, and only interrupt if it is one of the "B's", Blood, Barf, or Broken Bones! (I teach first grade.)
Begin setting up your students for success by teaching the big seven. As you become fluent with using "Teach-OK", you will find it leads into breaking your lessons into chunks. Then, you can start using the 5 step lesson plan format to build comprehension checks and critical thinking into your lessons.
Lastly, take a breath. Think about how much fun both you, and your students are going to have on this journey!
Continue to ask for help! There are many people who have already begun on this path, and many more who are just beginning. We are her to help each other!
Deb Weigel
Co-DIrector, WBT Model Classrooms

Hey Deb!
I love the scarf idea, I have a big silly hat I put on and it works well also. I was curious about grouping techniques. I teach third grade and we have reading centers, from the anthology, two times a week. What do you think about using the crazy professor game, as one of the centers? I haven't started back up to school yet but I thought it might be a possibility if there is a parent there to assist. I generally don't begin centers until school has been up and running about three weeks so students will have a good understanding of the flow of the classroom.

Thanks Bunches!!
Heather Hansen
WBT Intern
2011/2012

Heather,
I think you could use the first few steps of the Crazy Professor Game in a center, but just don't call it the Crazy Professor. This would give them essential practice in reading dramatically, using gestures, and paraphrasing.
I would save the game for whole group. You want to create anticipation and let it build...maybe do steps one and two, and then stop for the day...it leaves them hungering and begging for more. You can draw this out over several days before they actually get the chance to move on to the ultimate step...Crazy Professor. If you use it routinely in centers, it may lose it's powerful pizzaz.
Enjoy!
Deb Weigel
Co-Director, WBT Model Classrooms

Perfect!! I will give that a whirl! I check comprehension as we read through the anthology. I make sure that there is lots of exposure to the story before they are tested on the material. They take an AR test on the HM story for certificate recognition as they rack up the points:) You have cleared up my confusion. The crazy Professor game is the very last step in the multi-tiered process! " Here comes the sun!"

Thanks!!
Back bone slip ten finger dip to you!!
Heather Hansen
WBT Intern
2011/2012

I'm so excited about implementing the Crazy Professor this year! I love how it will work with the Basal readers we have and all the little "supplemental" books they want us to use too!
It is just the thing while teaching the first steps to incorporate to all the reading strategies the Basal covers, and then, to reward them for SO MUCH effort in understanding the text, they get to play the Crazy Professor!

I love that scarf idea too, Deb! I have been looking for a better solution to the whole being-interrupted-while-conducting-small-groups, etc. A visual signal will work wonders.