Over the year I use a variety of "cheers" to use with the whole class or for an individual when they do something exciting.

Silent cheers: Raise the roof (hands go up towards the roof) disco (point to the corners and swing hips opposite direction)

Cheers w/ words and pantomime:
Trucker - Pull down on a horn and yell, "honk honk"
Roller coaster - hands slowly go up, up, up, then over two hills and say "chk, chk, chk, woooo, woooo"
Oreo cookie - twist the cookie, lick the inside, throw the outsides behind you and make a throwing away noise "choooo"
Attitude: snap fingers in a zig zag and say "mmm, mmm, mmm, mmmm, mmmm" w/ as much attitude as you can.
Cowboy - grab a laso and say "yippeee kay yi yay"

As I think of more, I'll post.

I use them when we all do something well or if a kid gets a right answer or does something kind I say "raise the roof for ____Name____ for __reason they get a cheer_____" or "trucker cheer for ___________ for ___________"

Megan, I just learned something new this weekend from Chris Reckstad, the child who gets the wooo- or what ever the cheer you use, should give a thank you called a

Woo-zie

I hope he reads this and chimes in to see if I have it right. They can pick the "woo-zie" and do it right after the cheer you give to them, like so:

Let's give Debbie Downer a 10 finger whooo for being so positive with her answer about ------(class wooo) then Debbie gives her (let's say princess waves and a quick hands on cheeks like she's embarresed, back) to the class. Of course all done VERY quick so you can press on.

Good luck! Annette

I like it! Cute! Will try today.

I like this a lot too. I will use these with my small groups.

Both of these are great ideas - the answer woo-zie and new types of cheers.

I would like your opinion as experienced classroom teachers:

1. About how long should a teacher new to WBT use the standard 10 finger woo before changing the type of cheer?
2. About how long should a teacher new to WBT use the standard 10 finger woo before introducing the woo-zie?

Thanks, Jason

Jason,

Both of these depend on the teacher and their comfort with this element. For number one in particular, that will depend on your class. Some classes are fine with the basic cheer for weeks, others will begin to tire of it (habituation) after only a couple of weeks. You want to add a new cheer, about one every other week at first, when the class begins to respond more slowly, or their enthusiasm for the cheers you are using begins to fade.

Let your class' reaction be your guide.

My 5th graders loved class cheers! Our principal shared an awesome website with 30+ different class cheers with us this year. I haven't tried all of them, but the ones I have tried are super cute. I even had the 'coolest' boys in the class asking if they could pick the cheer for the day. It was awesome!

Here is the website if you'd like to check it out!

drjean.org/html/monthly_act/act_2004/06_june/06_2004_pdf.html




Tiffany
WBT Intern 2011-2012

As far as cheers go...
I printed cheers on card stock and cut them into 2x3 cards, then bought a box of "Cheer" detergent out of the vending machine at the local laundromat, and put the cheers inside. We used the ten finger woo most of the time, but once in a while, we needed a special cheer, and the students would pull one from the "Cheer Box". Last year I made sets of cheer boxes for my student teachers, and I put the cheers into Cheerios (snack size) boxes.
Once the students have learned a variety of cheers, you can mix them up, or have a different cheer each day, or save them for extra special occasions. It is up to you!
Deb Weigel
WBT

Thanks for sharing!

Susan Floyd
WBT Intern, 2011-2012

Thank you, I am going to make a "cheer crowd" for my class and they can choose so I have more things for each child to "participate" in especially when they don't get to be leader.

I love Dr. Jean, but I missed these. Annette

Jason, I missed your request on "cheers". I agree with Jeff Battle, it depends on your class. Right now while we beat the heat and try to stay with the end of the school year we need them about after every answer. My kids love "woozies" but I did not have them do it until they were certain they were comfortable, now I can't stop them.

Good luck, Annette

Wow, I am so impressed with the ideas shared here. Thank you!!
Karen Chavez

The WBT group of teachers are the best! This forum is such an awesome way to share, encourage, and inspire. It happens every day. I am so glad to be a part of this.

Susan Floyd
WBT Intern, 2011-12

Annette and Tiffany,

Annette's cheer crowd idea is great - couple that with the website Tiffany provided and the kids have lots to choose from. I really like that because it not only gives the students more leadership possibilities they have all the ideas they need to do it without continually stressing the teacher for new ideas.

Thanks to both of you.
Jason

Tiffany, thanks for sharing the website! Deb, I love the "Cheer" detergent box for a change on the type of cheer used! My class did well with the 10 finger woo for the most part! They just loved getting recognition from their classmates that they did something good! That was really enough for my kiddos this past year, but you never know how the next class will be. Annette, I also love your idea about the cheer crowd! I have so many more great ideas to start the 2011-2012 school year off! Thanks to everyone!

Thanks,
Staci Glass
WBT Intern, 2011-2012

Deb,

I love the idea of the "Cheer box" and using a small box of Cheer to keep the cards in! That is a clever idea, as well as, making cheer boxes for student teachers. I am a mentor teacher and that will be a great idea to share and give to my mentees for the upcoming school year!

Thanks for the great ideas!

Laura Caisse
WBT Intern, 2011-2012

I am going to add your celebrations to my list. Most of these were gathered from other teachers and from the WBT conference. I credited when I knew the source, at least the one I got it from if not the original source. Feel free to claim any that belong to you. Here is my list:


1. Dance the Twist - We stand and do the twist to show our pleasure.

2. Clap High and Wide - Just as the title indicates. For an applause; this can be done sitting or standing with arms spread as high and wide as we can go.

3. The Silent Scream - To show how excited we are about learning. No sound comes out. We just make our faces contort like we were screaming. (They LOVE this!) I think I got this off this site somewhere.

4. Hats Off - Just take one hand and pretend to lift off a hat and extend our arm toward the person we are congratulating.

5. Salute - Stand tall and give a salute to someone for a job well done

6.  Give a "seal" of approval to a student/class.   Class claps their arms like a seal(the animal) and makes a seal sound.  (Actually, you clap the backs of your
 hands together keeping your arms straight & downward.) TERRI HOFFMAN

7.  Give a “round of applause” to a student/class.  Everyone claps, moving their arms in a big circle in front of them.TERRI HOFFMAN

8. FANFARE!  (trumpets so   so so   so    so    DO!!!) Diane Woodward

9. DRUMROLL!!!! (students do on laps or instr. if they have them.) Diane Woodward

10. REVEILLE! (kids play Reveille on “horns”) Diane Woodward

11. Teacher: “One second party, Candystore!”
Students: “SWEET!”

12/ TEN FINGERED “WOO”  (celebrate suggess...point all fingers and waggle them while saying “wooooo”. WBT conference

13. Hats off! (towards person being honored)

14. Pirate Style!
(hand over right eye for patch, left index finger crooked for hook) and say “Arrrrgh!”

15. Fire power
taken from the movie A night at the the museum 2

Right arm flex " boom" left arm flex " boom" arms right arm extends out in a upward
diagonal and kids say " firepower!”