Hi all especially Ms. Shipley, who's video I've watched a zillion times.
Big question, Thursday (Sept. 2, 2010) is our Kindergarten orientation. We bring the kids back to see their new classroom after a big meeting. The parents are with them, should I try for instance the "yes class rule" on that day and then wait to do the rest the first day of school?

Any thoughts?

Annette in San Diego, California

I think it is a great idea to introduce the parents to WBT. I had open confrences today and had the students use mirror to teach their parents a new vocabulary word. The parents thought it was really cool. Most have never heard about WBT so they would be interested to learn about it. Good luck!!

I think that is an awesome idea to use WBT at the Open Conferences!! Thanks!

Me personally - I would be careful about teaching it to Kindergartens on the first day because they might be shy and you know how kids are different in front of their parents - especially as it is the first day. I would probably wait until you've had some time for them to get used to you and WBT before showing off:)

Liann

Ok...well...This is just me and how I did it! We also have an orientation with parents after a big meeting however kids are not allowed...so I don't actually see my kiddos until the first day...unless parents don't follow the rules LOL! But I introduced the five rules and our big rule to the parents at orientation. I also included in their packet a copy of each rule and explanation of the gesture. I showed them how the rule should be recited and asked them to take that home and discuss it with their child before the first day of school.

Now if the kids had been with them I would have treated it just like the first day of school. I walked in...didn't say good morning...didn't hug a student...I walked in and said..."CLASS"!!!!

When they all looked at me like I was NUTSO!!!! I said...OH MY!!! I thought I had big kindergarteners in here...I know...you can do this..."When I say Class...you say Yess!!!"

And so on and so on!!!

I guess it really depends on how confident you are in your WBT! Think about it though...if you goof...what do we say..."It's Cool" and really who knows you goofed except you!!!! LOL!

So think about how you want to set your tone...and then go from there...REMEMBER....IT'S YOUR CLASSROOM!!!!!

Hey, thank you all for your help and advice. I just finished and since I was nervous enough I went ahead and asked the children to come to the rug for a story, asked the parents to sit at the tables and that we would swithch. Parents on the floor, kids at the tables coloring while I spoke to the parents. So trying to make a long story short I used swithch instead. Very out of order but they got a "taste" of the WBT. I also sent it home in their packet and gave them the web site to work on for the 3 day weekend. All went very, very well.
Again thank you,

Annette