Hi. I am Chris and I have been teaching for 22 years. I am so glad that I found this website. I am looking forward to being a part of this wonderful group. I moved to a new district this year and the school that I am in wants the students to walk in line quietly, but do not like the idea hands behind the back, because supposedly it hinders the students' brainwaves and thought processes. I have never heard of anything negative about walking with hands behind the back, has anyone else? Needless to say, it is hard to control the kids from putting their hands on the walls, on others, pictures,etc. Could I have some support or suggestions?

Hi Chris,

I have never heard anything negative about walking in line with hands behind the back either. That is very interesting. How much have you researched into WBT? If you have read anything about the use of the scoreboard you may see how that could be used to help you with the students walking in line. You could use their walking in line as a way to earn a smilie or frownie (as the case may be). What grade are you teaching? There are some other things that we can look at as well.

I hope this gives you a place to start. Good luck and welcome to WBT. It will change your life!

Susan Floyd

My school has the students walk with Bumpers and Bubbles which is arms folded in front to make bumpers and a bubble in your mouth so no talking. This is the first year we have done it and it worked well. My class does Bumpers same as Lines, Paper, Seats, ext, I say Bumpers and they repeat it 3 times then should be ready. Hope that helps and scoreboard points will help too

Hmm..sounds like the school micro manages? Just a thought...I also have never heard of such a thing.

I like the bumpers and bubbles. I use bubbles. What grade do you teach? I have used "hallway hugs" with K-1 kids where they hug themselves or hand holding. We walk in 2 lines at our school to eliminate LONG lines so sometimes teachers have the younger kids hold the hand of the kid next to them in line. I didn't like it at first but I realize it keeps them quiet, it keeps them together in line, and it also gets them to be better friends.

For the older kids, the scoreboard like someone already suggested would work great. I also like to do challenges, which would work great with the scoreboard. Which group (girls, boys, or front of the line, back of the line) will walk to our destination with their hands (at their side, in front of them, etc.). The winnder either gets a point on the scoreboard or something quick as a reward.

I use the lines, lines, lines, and when we get to our line and ready to leave we chant, "Quiet, straight, 3rd grade line, level 0 voices!" My kids love it! If they can't handle it, and aren't quiet, we try it again. Of course, this means they are missing part of their special class or they're going to be last to lunch. So, they get to their line, and repeat our chant and we're ready to go. I also give points on the scoreboard if they can make it to their destination quietly as Susan suggested in a previous post!

Thanks,
Staci Glass
WBT Intern, 2011-2012

Chris,
It is interesting to hear about hands behind the back hindering brainwaves... I am going to have to research that one!

I have used "Lips and hips" for K-1. One finger on the lips, the other hand on the hips.

Upper grades use points on the scoreboard, as Susan and Staci suggested.

It's your class...you can do what works for you.

Deb Weigel
Co-Direector, WBT Model Classrooms