My students that I have this year are very slow to get excited and sometimes when we use teach-okay, they are almost talking at a whisper. I have switched up the reward for the scoreboard, but this doesn't seem to excite them either. How do I get my kids to get excited about WBT?

Thank you for your helpful hints!

Laura Caisse
WBT Intern, 2011-2012

Laura,

At our school, we've been focusing on ping-ponging the scoreboard. It might work for your kids...as I've seen it work with mine.



Hope this helps.

Tiffany
WBT Intern, 2011-2012

Laura, what Tiffany is saying is so true. Ping-ponging the kids back and forth is crucial to keeping up the energy. Late in the afternoon when kids are not following rule 1 and 2, you just want to nail them, so you do, but that doesn't help, so you do it again. The problem is that this doesn't get the results that you want. So the part that we are forgetting is that we need to find some good in the class, a small piece that will help everyone feel good. Give the class a for that small piece, and then another and so on. Keep going back and forth until you've changed the energy and involvement level. The Ping-Pong!

Try it out and see how it goes. Keep us posted

Chris

Tiffany and Chris,

Thank you so much for the helpful hints! In the classroom and on the scoreboard, we are ping-ponging away. The student excitement level has changed a slight bit, but not where I would like it to be. I do have an observation about my students. A couple of weeks ago, I had math training to go to and a sub was in my room. Well, the sub showed up an hour early, so she just shadowed me to see exactly how I run my room. The excitement from my students that morning was unbelieveable! They had an audience and the excitement was unbelievable! They rose to the occasion again last week when 5th grade hosted Family Night activities! Student leaders modeled and taught their parents WBT strategies that we use in our classroom each day! The parents were amazed and I was amazed at the excitement level of my students. So, I know that they can rise to the occasion; I guess they just need a daily audience other than their teacher!

Keep the helpful hints coming!

Laura Caisse
WBT Intern, 2011-2012

Laura, kids are natural performers that is why they "performed" for parents and subs. So tap that feeling have a teacher friend come in at the end of the day after you have practiced a rule they may be having trouble following. Have them practice it all day and then show it off...heck have the janitor stop by, the principal, a cafeteria worker anyone they can show off to.
Annette

If they like an audience, set up your camera or cell phone to record video. My fifth graders are "on fire" when they think I am taping for the principal or their parents to see.

Hi Laura! Love the scoreboard ping pong suggestions. This always helps my kids as I try to get them enthusiastic. Louder, faster, more energy!! My kids have gotten to show off their WBT skills several times this year and wow did they perform. Now I need them to do that on a daily basis! Any thoughts on that one?

Kate

katebowski.blogspot.com/