I just came across this site. Most of the info seems to be geared towards lower elementary. Is this appropriate for 6th?

Yes, yes yes! If you search the first steps and go to you tube you will see whole brain teaching used all the way to college. Come along and join us on a fantastic adventure in teaching.

Annette:-)

It will work at any level! I work with K-5 graders and use it with all of them. It took me a while to get a few of the fifth grade boys on board, but most of the fith grade teachers I work with used it with good success. Give it a try,post any questions, struggles, successes, etc. here on the forum. You will have all the support you could possibly need.
We are happy to have you!

Susan Floyd
WBT Intern 2011,2012

I used it with my sixth graders for the past two years and it was a blessing on my first years of experience in a classroom. Sometimes they will act too cool... but its really not till the end of the year. you have to present it to them like this: all sorts of things are going on in their lives right now and the last thing you expect them to do is sit and listen to you talk at them all day. You are actually giving them a chance to get up and do stuff and making learning fun.

I am looking forward to using the techniques. I've been pouring over the posts and youtube videos. I'm a little nervous about the following: I actually teach a combo class of 5th and 6th graders. All subjects from math to PE. I have no prep period and have yard duty on top. How to keep this going going from 8:30-3:00 day in and day out?
Advice?

Take deep breaths, you will find this method of reaching will leave you exhausted but in a great way. With the older students they will adapt to wole brain quickly and you can begin to use leadership to your advantage taking some of the responsibility off of you. What could be more exciting kids expertly running your class. Look at you tuble I think it is titled 11 year old teaches class she is just as good as most while brain teachers (no offense).
Annette

One of the best things about Whole Brain Teaching is that you can integrate as much of it as you want into your instruction. The mantra is "it's a long year, keep a big back pocket" You DON'T want to introduce everything at once.

You DO want to monitor, just as you normally would as the awesome teacher you are, and see that if something isn't working, you simple move on to the next step. WBT is scaffolded and tiered, so you don't have to THINK too hard about moving on to "something else that works better" It's just how the program is set up!
That said, make sure to check out the First Steps section. Also, go to the blogs people have started (check out the "WBT is looking for Bloggers!" part of the forum) There are tons of resources on interns and others' blogs about how to integrate, and what it looks like, etc.

And most of all, keep asking questions! The WBT community is here for ya!

I'm using it in 7th grade for the first time. So far, so GREAT!

Middlesschoolmathtchr,

I am so happy to hear this! I have recruited a handful of middle school teachers to start implementing WBT for the first time this year. There are some that have questions about how well it will go with middle school students. I hope you continue sharing your experiences. I look forward to reading about them!!
Thanks!
Heather Hansen
Wbt Intern 2011/12:cheer:

h.hansen,

Thanks! I'm going to keep it updated with how things go. Right now, I am just continually surprised that the kids respond to certain things just as WBT says they will. I also love that I have a plan B through Z right in my back pocket as the year progresses.