We are not likely to get a blizzard in Phoenix on January 3, and the conference will be just as delightful as the weather!
Who is coming? Are you a first time WBT attendee, or a veteran? What are you hoping to gain from the conference?
This will be a great jumpstart to 2011!
See you there!
Deb Weigel
WBT Intern

Hi Deb!

I'll be there rain. snow, or shine! I am looking forward to it!


Dawn Nelson
WBT Intern

Headed there bright and early tomorrow. First time in Phoenix since 1995! lol I'm a newbie and trying to find strategies to deal with having 30+ kids in my classroom with TONS of behavior issues.

April,
Would you please come up and introduce yourself to me at the conference tomorrow? I will be helping with the presentation. I am confident that you will pick up some strategies to help with your challenging class. I teach really close to you...we can work something out where you could come and visit my classroom. I will be happy to coach you through getting started in WBT! Your classroom will never be the same!
See you tomorrow!
Deb Weigel

Deb,

Want to be there oh my yes! But couldn't. Please pass on new information and idea's to us all. I have a special request, I would love for you to find a way to make a copy of your recent "demo" that was posted here and via YOU TUBE. ** I would love to learn the syllable walk from the "rug" area to their desk and you gestures for doubles.

It would be great if we could have you on a CD then I could show my class. My students know that I keep in touch with other teachers and I tell them that I share all the good things WBT helps them do so that they are terrific learners.

**Actually this request is for any of the interns that do such a wonderful job demonstrating:-)

Annette in California

Annette,
Do you have access to youtube? You can upload the video from youtube to your computer so you can watch it anytime.

As for the syllable walk, I use it for transitions, such as walking from seats to the carpet area. I say a word, such as "communities" or "skyscraper", and they take a step on each syllable, and freeze until I say another word. I usually apply current vocabulary words. You can also use this same idea for phoneme segmentation, which is such a critical skill in the early stage of learning to read. I say, "dog", and they say (and walk) the sounds /d/ /o/ /g/. It is key that the students segment the sounds, NOT the letter names. We know how important it is for them to be able to pull apart and put together sounds in words!

As for the "Doubles" rap, we put our arms into a plus sign for "add", and pretended to wipe the sweat off our forehead for "It's no trouble". (One of my students actually came up with that gesture!) Other than that, we just used our fingers to count, and pulled our fists down on the "Huh!"

Enjoy!
Deb Weigel
WBT Intern