1. How can I use WBT in my ELL classroom? I have 65+ students. I see them in groups of 5-7 for 25 minutes each. Some of the WBT methods, like keeping score, would be a nightmare to keep track of for each group. Can someone tell me some suggestions on how to use WBT in small groups?


2. How does Whole Brain Teaching address extreme behavior?
Some of the groups I am working with are 3rd/4th graders who struggle with even basic text (reading/writing at a kindergarten level). Because of this they do anything to avoid reading, writing, or academic work in general. Acting out or flat out refusal to do work. What do you do when a student refuses to do any assignment? They just sit there and won't talk to you or attempt the work. A lot of time is wasted trying to reason with the student to do the work. If I ignore it then it teaches the rest of the group to give up too. There is NO parent support from home. These are frustrated kids who have already given up on learning and themselves. Can Whole Brain Teaching address this situation?

It sounds like you are a perfect candidate for SuperSpeed 100. This is a reading game that improves students' ability to read the 100 most common sight words ... the game is available as a free download on this site. Also, see the SuperSpeed 100 video on this site. Our game will also address the problem you are having with uncooperative students ... you aren't "teaching" them, they're just learning to play a game. Also, stay tuned for "The Agreement Bridge," a new technique we've designed for collaborative problem solving between teachers and challenging kids.

(Question)
1. How can I use WBT in my ELL classroom? I have 65+ students. I see them in groups of 5-7 for 25 minutes each. Some of the WBT methods, like keeping score, would be a nightmare to keep track of for each group. Can someone tell me some suggestions on how to use WBT in small groups?

(Answer)
Definitely teach Class-Yes! And Teach-OK!
Make sure that once they understand Teach-OK you switch partners often in a small group. Assigning them numbers (Ones and Twos) makes it easy to switch them around. “All One’s stand, and switch places end to end,” or “All Twos stand, I am going to play music and when it stops you must sit down next to the One you are standing closest to. If you can do this with no arguing you score a point on the Scoreboard Game!”
On using the Scoreboard Game with your tough situation, two methods for using the Scoreboard Game come to mind right away.

Method One:
On your board draw the Scoreboard, and mark it as you would with a normal classroom setup. For yourself keep a sheet of paper with a square for each group, with each square divided for smilies and frownies. At the end of class take a few seconds to mark you Master Scoreboard List. It will take a couple of days to get used to it, but once you have this should be a very useable system.

Method Two:
Use the Scoreboard Game to give an immediate reward at the end of each class. I would suggest SuperSpeed 100 given their reading level. This game, a free download at Wholebrainteaching.net. It focuses on increasing site word recognition, one of the most critical components of reading.

(Question)
2. How does Whole Brain Teaching address extreme behavior?
Some of the groups I am working with are 3rd/4th graders who struggle with even basic text (reading/writing at a kindergarten level). Because of this they do anything to avoid reading, writing, or academic work in general. Acting out or flat out refusal to do work. What do you do when a student refuses to do any assignment? They just sit there and won't talk to you or attempt the work. A lot of time is wasted trying to reason with the student to do the work. If I ignore it then it teaches the rest of the group to give up too. There is NO parent support from home. These are frustrated kids who have already given up on learning and themselves. Can Whole
Brain Teaching address this situation?

(Answer)
Absolutely! Whole Brain Teaching will give these kids a chance to experiences something that they have never had before- academic success. The Scoreboard Game is one of your best friends here. It motivates the kids by making learning something fun.
Introduce the games, Mind Soccer, SuperSpeed 100, and so on. Let them know they MUST complete work, the whole group, to get a chance to play. Breaking their own records is a real motivator for kids, and that is the most important thing to do right now.
You definitely need to focus on building rapport, and helping them experience some success.