This message is directed at the 'pros' of Whole Brain Teaching. I am so excited about doing this with my first graders. I'm even practicing on my parrot (not working real well).
However, my mind is all over the place. I've downloaded a lot and I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed.

Does anyone have a suggested plan for the first TWO weeks of school. I could use any advice anyone has to offer.

Thanks,
Greenie

Hi,
When I first started using the techniques of power teachers I began with the class ----yes and the point system. I included the arm movements. I also used the hands and eyes which I absolutely love.
After I felt comfortable with these three items I added on the partner element. I also made myself notes of each item on index cards so that I would have something to refer back to in moments of being overwhelmed. I teach first grade and they love it. I
start back to work in two days and am on the website to give myself a "refresher course". Hope this helps.
Connie

There are two good places to get an overview of WBT ... read the "First Steps" articles in the drop down menu at the top of this page; then look at the 9 video lessons ... if your school blocks our videos, go to TeacherTube and type in "Power Teaching" ... our former name. We suggest introducing WBT in this order
1. Class-Yes
2. Five Classroom Rules
3. Teach-Okay
4. The Scoreboard
5. Hands and Eyes
6. MIrror
7. Switch
-- all these can be introduced in the first two weeks, even in kindergarten ... if you go slowly and rehearse often.
For more details, see "Whole Brain Teaching for Challenging K-6 Kids" ... a free download on this site.

The mirror technique is our newest, and probably the last of our core teaching elements. You say "mirror," and your kids say "mirror" and pick up their hands and silently mirror your gestures as you give a short lesson. If you say "mirror words," your students say "miirror words" and mimic your gestures and repeat your words.

Keep posting here and other WBT teachers will help out!

Yes I feel the same way but I am planning on following Chris' outline for the first two weeks. We start school on a Wed. so I am going to teach the Class Yes and the First Five Rules...Thanks to Chris the seminar was great in Redding, California! Hope you made your plane.

We are in our second week of school and my first graders are experts at the 7 items Chris mentioned! A few of my peers have just begun WBT, and they jotted the 7 things in the corner of their board to remind themselves...and the kids wanted to use pointers and teach each other while pointing to the list!!! Today my principal observed my kiddos practicing vocabulary words such as "responsibility, shelter, cuddle, faithful, fetch, and heel", complete with definitions and gestures. He was amazed at their comprehension!

This week, my students decided we needed to add a few things to rule #3. (Actually, I decided to, but let them think it was their idea!) So, if they need to leave their seat for the restroom, they raise their hand and sign the letter "r". If they need a drink, they sign "H2o", and if they need to get a pencil, they sign "p". This way, I can easily motion for them to get up (or not) without interrupting the flow of instruction. I know that other WBTeachers use similar ideas to differentiate the need to get up out of one's seat.

Most of all, HAVE FUN! As you teach the rules, gestures, and other strategies, spice it up with voices and silly faces. I even had a monster come to school, and my students had to teach the monster our rules and procedures! What a HOOT!!! Before you know it, your students will be enjoying WBT so much that they will not even realize that they are learning!