Hello all:)

Ok so yesterday was my first day of school and first time using WBT to start the year. Boy was I happy to have it. I have 22 first graders and they are fabulous but very challenging.

So I started out thinking that I would just take it easy the first day and then really get into the rules and everything the next day. Nope - didn't work - change of plans if we were going to get anything done:) I had a kid just walking around anywhere he wanted, several kids calling out until I could barely hear myself speak, kids playing with toys on the carpet, multiple kids wanting to go to the bathroom, kids having paper towel fights in the bathroom and running up and down the stairs screaming, etc.

After about 10 minutes of this, and trying to play some name games and read a story which utterly failed - would not quiet down, I whipped out the scoreboard and started teaching the rules. They were so excited to see it (they had seen it on Looking Ahead Day in June) and immediately there was a change. Before you know it I was ping-ponging Smilies and Frownies like no tomorrow and saying Rule 2, Rule 3, Rule 5. There was smiles, there was laughter - I was having fun and it was working - as the day went on, the child wandering around the classroom was sitting down, children on the carpet were no longer playing with toys, inappropriate and appropriate behaviour in the bathroom was practiced and discussed, etc. By recess we had ping-ponged back and forth till there were 30 Smilies and 31 Frownies!!!! - thank goodness for the portable Scoreboard. The reward, I told them, for making the scorekeeper happy was Center time and I told them to tell their neighbour how much they wanted Center time (I knew how much they wanted to play, especially my more challenging students because they had expressed it while Breaking Rule 2:)). In my head, I was like there is no way I am going to let them earn Center time today unless there is a miraculous turn around. So, much to their dismay, we did not have Centers but I lessened the blow by erasing the Scoreboard after recess and telling them they could begin to earn Smilies and Frownies for tomorrow's Centers. Then I proceeded to go around the classroom and explain all of the amazing Centers. I had their full attention - the whole class - for at least two full minutes without reciting any rules- lol. The best part of all was normally I would be panicking a bit and little more stern at this point but I was still having fun and thinking I was playing a game:)

Anyhow - so then we went to the Assembly... I know - Dun, Dun, Dunnnnnn. They did OK for the first 5 minutes and then everyone started to lose it. I separated kids left right and center, I sat in close proximity to kids, I talked quietly to them. Thank goodness some of the other teachers were helpful. It was a little stressful and I didn't really know what to do - I tried to promise Smilies to a few kids but they pretty much lost them within seconds. Afterwards, I regrouped and made a mental note that for next assembly I would have a class chat and practice good assembly behaviour - they would have a special assembly order and if they were on excellent behaviour they would get Smilies.

Any other ideas for assemblies?

Liann

So as I continue things are still going well. Mornings are better than afternoons for sure. One thing I wanted to share is that rather than stopping to recite the rules all the time if it is only one student breaking a rule, I just hold up the number of fingers for the rule broken so that student can see it. Works like a charm and does not interrupt the flow of the class. For example, if little Johnny is breaking rule 3, I hold up three fingers:)

Liann

Great advice I wondered if that would work as I have (at times) one or two who are the oes that aren't getting the reminders. The whole class tells them, but given a short amount of time and we've talked out or whatever. I now have these students in my mind as the fence sitters, leaders and so on. Got to get them all on board. But, on a positive note I too have had great mornings. It is a shame here in California kindergarteners go all day.

Go, mighty oh yeah!
Annette

Liann~
I would agree that you've got to cover "assembly expectations", But something that I do is that I bring a clipboard with me and I tell students that I am going to be looking for students who have excellent behavior (criss cross applesauce with hands and eyes and a bubble in their mouth). Then I tell the students that I am going to write down anyone I see who is doing a great job. Once we get back to the room I give the students a sticker of their choice. Since I don't give out stickers except for "Stickity doo dah" parties (I select students who do really neat, careful, and correct work and then I sing the "Stickity doo dah"song while I put countless little stickers on their shirts)~ getting to pick out their own sticker is a big deal. DOn't know if that will work with your kiddos, but it could be worth a try:)!

Andrea

Hi Andrea,

I LOVE the Stickitydoodaa idea!!! I'll definitely try the clipboard for assembly. I got a brainstorm while I was in the assembly, too. I told my class that we were going to set a class record for sitting still and listening. I told them it was going to start as soon as the assembly began. I got them all criss-crossed and applesauced, basketed and gave the signal for go as soon as the assembly began. Then I counted. They made it to 80 before anything happened. Awesome - I praised them afterwards and let them run around the outside of the playground afterwards. Hope it words again!!!

Liann~
I have individual foam "sit-upons" like one would take to a stadium for a game. My students get to carry these to the assembly and sit on them. For some reason, they love it! A booster club at one of the local high schools gave them to my class, so my students think they are ultra hip!!!!
The problem for my class was usually before the assembly started, while they are sitting and waiting for all the " big kid classes" to file in and get started. I have taught my students simple songs like 5 Little Ducks, or 5 Little Monkeys, but instead of singing the words, we "lip sync" and use huge gestures for the song! It is fun, super effective, and hilarious!!! I tell my students that it is like our own super secret code... No-one else knows what we are saying or doing, but we do!!!
Like Andrea, I also keep a list...I bring a clipboard with my class list, and during the assembly I continually check my students. When I look at them, if they are showing good character, I put a star next to their name. Some students may have a 5 star assembly, while others may only have a 1 star time. Then, when we have free choice centers, I call the students to choose first by according to the highest number of stars. This really works for my class!
Glad you are having a great start to your year! I am losing a student this week, so that means next week I will receive a brand new student! That will give my students the opportunity to teach our new friend our rules and procedures!
How's the fall weather? We still have 104 degrees here in AZ!! WAITING for the cool down!
Deb Weigel
WBT Intern

Hi Liann,

Assesmblies are always a time students think it's a free for all. While I really like Debs booster seat idea, that is not really an option for me. What I tell my class as a whole is that we want to be the example for other classes in there. It is a must that we discuss expectations before hand. Before we leave "I ask them who thinks they CAN NOT set a good example at the assembly?" No hand will ever go up because I can't is not an option in our class. Then I ask "who thinks they CAN set a good example at the assembly?" They will all raise their hands. This of course is not a quick fix, but it does help. I do tell them to practice rule number 5, making their dear teacher happy :)Another thing I do if they do a good job is let them play a quick learning "game" at the end of the day. With that I have seen kids showing other students to be quiet. They really will want to play your "game" you just have to be excited about it.

"YaHoo" to Toni for setting up expectations beforehand!!! Soooo crucial!!!

I just wanted to clarify...the seats that we use are basically a flat, foam square with our HS logo on it. (Not really a booster seat, but our sports booster club donated them to us!!!) I prefer them to carpet squares because they can be easily wiped down with Clorox wipes! They store flat in a milk crate, and are easily accessible for centers, assemblies, sitting outside, etc.

Off to Data Training!
Deb

That is a great donation!! They sound like they are quite durable.

Thanks for the awesome ideas everyone - every bit helps!!!

Liann

Hi all:)

Just thought I would update on the tweaks I have made since the beginning of the year.

1) I have split the day in half so that students can earn a reward before lunch and before dismissal.

2) I have purchased a timer to practice that tough, tough, tough Rule #2. Students can earn stars. If they earn 20 stars by the end of the week then everyone gets a reward. I have two timers so I can have one at the carpet and one at the desk area.

3) I do a weekly evaluation of my students (Alphas, Go-Alongs, Fence Sitters and Challenges) as well as my teaching (control of emotion and consistency).

I can't wait to do another video. The difference I see in the class from last week to this week is huge. I'd love to hear more about your videos:)

Liann

Hi all,

I am really working hard with WBT, but using rule #2 is really hard. I see I am not alone. My problem isn't just following the rule, but they feel that have to shout my name FIRST, then raise their hand and ask the question or answer. They can repeat rule #2 in their sleep, but do it with out the chours of Mrs.......(over here) Mrs.. . . (over there). I try to catch it and say rule #2 they say it but, pop, there goes another one, help:laugh:

My ears ring:lol:

Annette, the timer that Inutini mentioned is a big help for struggles with Rule 2. It is really a tough to rule to enforce because so many little things pop out without them thinking about it. One thing you can do with the timer is either:
Include it in the points: set it for a reasonable amount of time that you think your students, at their very very best, could go without a slip-up. Each time the time goes off, you put a point on their side. Each time someone breaks the rule, start the timer over. You can even teach a particularly adept kid to work the timer, and indicate to them when the timer needs to start over, if you like. *This doesn't eliminate points for other good things... that just always gets them a point.*

Another way is to keep the timer and the points separate-- give them one line in a star each time the timer goes off..when the five lines have met to make a star, stick a little star on a chart, box, whatever... and when they get "x" amount of stars, they get to enjoy some sort of educational game or other fun, school-related reward.

It will keep them, and you, aware of rule #2 and of even the minor infractions that become major disruptions.

Another suggestion is to practice the incorrect behavior ... "Okay, I am going to pretend like I'm teaching this group over here ... John ... silently count to 10 and then say, Mrs. Warren, Mrs. Warren ... and raise your hand AFTER you call my name..." Then, when it is clear what the incorrect behavior is, rehearse the correct behavior ... a last suggestion ... look at the Procedures Rehearsal section of the appendix in our download "Whole Brain Teaching Challenging Kids" for Andrea Schindler's wonderful description of Ping Ponging on the Scoreboard.

Thank you for the response everyone, I will try them all. I especially like the "good" example and the let's not do it this way example. Yes, the Mrs. Warren called out by more than one student gets frustrating by about noon.

I do have a question about ping-pong on the scoreboard. Do the stronger kids who know they are earning the smiles get the idea that you are giving frowns to those who have not caught on that they are the disruption. I don't want the leaders of the class to get down on themselves when they really are trying hard. Kindergarten is a happy place.

Annette

Well just make sure that you preempt it by saying something like: "It looks like I don't have everyone" or "I need ALL my friends to....." that should help them understand that there are some but not all doing what you would like.

Used the Stickity DooDah idea this week for students were being excellent reading buddies!! The kids just about bubbled over with joy. I love some more guidance on the button idea...any helpful tips?

Liann~

Glad your students liked Stickety Doo Dah! I catch my students singing "Stickety Doo Dah" to each other when one has done well! I love it!

I have been using my WBT buttons for student leaders for "Class, Yes", "Teach, OK", and "Hands and Eyes". My students ask as soon as they enter the door who the student leaders are going to be. For me, at this time of year, I am tell them that I am watching to see who is demonstrating responsibility and I will choose student who I believe I can depend on. After our morning recess, at 10:15, we have a little meeting and I award the buttons for the remainder of the day. Last week, I tried something new. I asked my students to complete this sentence frame in writing: "I think _____________ would be a great student leader because ________________." I told them I would read the sentences privately and consider their requests. They had some thoughtful ideas! I chose 3, and the next day when it was time to announce who the student leaders were, I read the descriptions aloud. I also attached the notes to a certificate I had written for the student leaders to take home to share with their parents. This was such a wonderful community builder in my class, that I will probably integrate this activity into our class once a week.
I have been using the buttons for 5 weeks, ever since the conference in Phoenix, and have not once had to take one away because a student was messing around or not doing his/her best to lead. They really love the buttons!

Is it getting cold up north yet? We had 80 degrees for our outdoor Thanksgiving feast on Thursday!

Keep up the great work!
Deb Weigel
WBT Intern, Level 1

Remind me of what "Sticky,do,dah" is again and the scoreboard wiggly! The buttons from the last conference are the greatest in my class, especiall the one that looks like the teacher.

I have been posting scoreboard #'s on my door for the next morning as the parents walk their children to line. I heard through the door one of my children explaining the 5 rules to his mom, I heard laughter along with the explaination, Oh Yeah!

Hey Annette,

Andrea wrote, "Since I don't give out stickers except for "Stickity doo dah" parties (I select students who do really neat, careful, and correct work and then I sing the "Stickity doo dah"song while I put countless little stickers on their shirts)~ getting to pick out their own sticker is a big deal. DOn't know if that will work with your kiddos, but it could be worth a try:)!"

I'm not sure about the scoreboard wiggly:)

Liann