WHOO HOOO......ten finger whoooo with a lightning sizzle!

Kindergarten is underway and man I am so excited!!! This morning was a breeze!!!! Day one of the How to start guide is done and we are doing so well!!!! NO TEARS THIS MORNING!!!! WHOOOO HOOOO!!!!!

Lunch almost over...will check back with ya this afternoon!!!


Farrah Shipley


AFTERNOON UPDATE!!!

Well it is actually day two at lunch so I figured I would just update!!!! Kids know rules 1 and 2 and are really working HARD to follow them!!! I am amazed at how quickly this group is falling into place. I have had an update from my kiddos that went to first grade this year....the teachers in 1st grade are using WBT for the first time and they said my kiddos from last year are all excited because they know what to do!!!! They already know the rules and procedures so the "new" ones are catching on quicker!!! Amazing when the WBT is used across grade levels on a school wide basis!!!!


I also have a child in my class that may have a developmental issue (she is being tested). To be honest I have done research for her symptoms and behaviors and spoken with last years prek teacher and our special education department....and we all have the same ideas but I am so impressed at how she is responding to the WBT. This is a child that we all believe in another environment would be a distraction and a problem....I am so anxious to see how she does....since academically she is ahead of everyone else!

Ok...that is my update.... How is everyone else doing????


Farrah Shipley

Thanks for your update, Farrah! It seems like you've got this WBT thing down! Kuddos to you

I, on the other hand, am struggling a little bit. I love WBT and I used it (some) last year and my class really responded very well. Although this is only Day 2 with my new little ones, I am already feeling a bit discouraged by a few bad habits.

Okay, so I'll walk you through my day just so you can get a clear picture...
After the morning news, our day begins with carpet time. We always begin with the rules and I choose helpers (& give cheers) and they LOVE IT! I feel like I can have them eat from the palm of my hand when they're near me. Then, when it's time to go to their seats, they repeat the "seats seats seats" and everything is still running smoothly. But THEN... they are noisy when they are working and getting up out of their seats to get my attention, etc. and it feels so chaotic. So far, I've been great about not letting my frustration show through my demeanor or my voice. I've remained calm and have kept a soothing tone when I give them redirection. However, this approach doesn't always get their attention and I end up using the class-yes and hands-and-eyes, repeatedly, until I finally gain the attention of the few who insist on chatting away to their neighbors. I'm afraid it's going to lose its magic from overuse. Then, at the end of the day, packing up and getting everyone in their dismissal lines is BEYOND frustrating. It's so noisy, busy, and too confusing to do the backpacks, backpacks, backpacks and so forth this soon. I desperately need a system for dismissal! Oh and when weave the rules in and out of our day all day!

Wow, I've just unloaded some frustrations that I didn't realize I had! lol And while I'm unloading... any ideas for what my students can do when they finish their work early? I have book baskets on their tables, but that doesn't seem to interest the majority right now.

I'm open to any suggestions! Thanks for reading
~Catherine

Ok...let me see if I can help.

I have 19 kinders that quite frankly have some issues!!! I already love them all and am very defensive of them.... However some of the issues we have range from potential autistic symptoms, emotional trauma, PTSD, and a whole range of other issues. I quite frankly told my principle that my teaching assistant needed to be certified in special education because this was going to be a long year...

BUT to my surprise...they are all very bright. So....I tell you all this because if I can have control of this wonderful special interesting group of kinders then so can you with your group!


But THEN... they are noisy when they are working and getting up out of their seats to get my attention, etc. and it feels so chaotic. So far, I've been great about not letting my frustration show through my demeanor or my voice. I've remained calm and have kept a soothing tone when I give them redirection. However, this approach doesn't always get their attention and I end up using the class-yes and hands-and-eyes, repeatedly, until I finally gain the attention of the few who insist on chatting away to their neighbors. I'm afraid it's going to lose its magic from overuse.

My suggestion is this...I also have kids that while "working independently" get up and try to come interrupt me while working with individual children or call my name across the room, or talk to their neighbor...(and I have an assistant walking around helping children at their seats)....but when a child calls my name out...I just simply say "RULE #2" and the class recites RULE #2. If the get up and come to my desk I say "RULE #3" and the class recites RULE #3. Now...We have said these rules so many times over the past three days that they have them memorized PERFECTLY!!!! And amazingly when I say "RULE #2" or "RULE #3"...even before the class has finished reciting the rule the offending student has corrected their behavior...either by shooting that hand up in the air for me to call on them or quickly moving back to their seat and raising their hand. When this happens I have the class recite the rule again...and then...if the child is sitting with their hand raised...I say "WOW...thank you (student name) for following our rule...did you have a question or need something?"

This has done several things:

Practiced the rule
Corrected the behavior without me scolding the child
and
Rewarded the right behavior

In three days I am seeing a significant effort on their part to FOLLOW THE RULES. I now have children raising their hands to pick up their pencil when it drops on the floor! LOL! Because to them that means getting out of their seats. Now it has created a situation where they are raising their hand for EVERYTHING....but at least they are following the rules.

I don't think you need to worry about over use...because the basis behind WBT is practice, practice, practice! PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT!

Then, at the end of the day, packing up and getting everyone in their dismissal lines is BEYOND frustrating. It's so noisy, busy, and too confusing to do the backpacks, backpacks, backpacks and so forth this soon. I desperately need a system for dismissal! Oh and when weave the rules in and out of our day all day!


As for the end of the day...this is what mine looks like:

Me: Class
Them: Yes
Me: Rule #1
Them: Rule #1 Follow Directions Quickly
Me: Great....Get your PASSPORT binder out.
Them: (quickly get their binders out)
Me: Oh that was so quick give me an OH YEAH (while marking a smilie)
Them: Oh Yeah!
Me: Rule #1
Them: Rule #1 Follow directions quickly
Me: Turn to your Green Homework folder
Them: (turn to their homework folder)
Me: Oh that was too slow (while marking a frownie)
Them: OH NO!!
Me: Rule #1
Them: Rule #1 Follow Directions Quickly
Me: (I will pass out homework and they will close their binders....there is usually some slight noise while I do this but not alot to bother me)
Me: Class
Them: Yes
Me: Bodies Up
Them: Bodies Up (while standing and pushing chairs in)
Me: Rule #1
Them: Rule #1 Follow directions quickly
Me: Row 1 Get your backpacks and lunchboxes and come back to your desk. (at this point each Row will get called to go get their backpacks and return to their desk and know to put their binders in their bags and stand quietly. If we start talking we recite Rule #2 as many times as we need
Me: (Once they all have their bags...) Chairs Chairs Chairs
Them: Chairs Chairs Chairs (while putting their chairs on their desks.
Me: Rule #1
Them:Rule #1 Follow Directions Quickly
Me: Carpet Carpet Carpet
Them: Carpet Carpet Carpet (they quickly go to the carpet and stand on their letter)
Me: Criss Cross
Them: Applesause (while sitting down)
Me: Bubbles in Your Mouth
Them: (they catch a bubble)

Now believe it or not all this takes place in the last 10 minutes of class! LOL! The trick I have found is that as long as you are in control of what they are doing and what they are saying then they can't and don't talk to each other!!!!! AMAZING RIGHT????

We wait for a few minutes and count our scoreboard to see if we won and then talk about what we need to do tomorrow differently and then by that time parents are filing in to pick them up.

This should also show you how I infuse the rules into my day as well!!!

WOW this was alot of info but I am the type that "sees" it better when I can see EXACTLY what someone is talking about!!!

Keep us updated and YOU CAN DO IT GIRL!!!!!

Farrah Shipley

Oh my goodness!!! I have not been able to access this site until today! Anyhow, thank you SO much for your detailed dialogue of your procedures. I especially like how you have them recite a rule before doing a task... I haven't tried that yet, but it seems like it would be effective.

Just to update you... things in my circus, I mean CLASSROOM, seem to be calming down a bit. I am up to 24 now which tends to overwhelm me, especially when we are doing simple tasks like walking in a line. Just when I get them quiet and ready to walk out of the door, this one's pushing that one and that one's talking to another one and so on. We are pretty good at lines lines lines, then hands and eyes, but as soon as we're out of the room, the problems begin.

We are only two weeks into school and I find myself already wanting to pull out the practice card system. However, I've already had to send home a few notes about not following the rules. I know that I was not supposed to do this yet, but I was left without an option.

(Sigh) Please don't let any of this become your burden. I'm merely venting because I've been the "positive" teacher at work and I desperately need an outlet. I figure, who better to vent to than other WBT teachers who may be able to offer specific WBT suggestions.

Thanks again, Farrah...I appreciate you!

Catherine

@ catwoman:
What I have learned about the special world of kinder is to take each routine and practice till perfection. The first few weeks of school we practice, practice, practice. Literally, we break each task down into mini~parts and we practice. I have learned not to expect to get too much of the learning done these first few weeks. I just choose some major things that I hope to get to and really concentrate on building the management and routines. HAve you tried "How to start your with WBT in kinder"? I used this to document at a conference & teachers seem to appreciate the pacing guideline. It builds slowly, but you won't believe how far they grow! If you go too fast without building small pieces, you will be fighting them all year. And of course~ vent here! We are all here for each other!!!

@farrah: great explanation! Your details are awesome and provide a clear direction for teachers! love it!!!

Thank you miss Andrea....and might I say that little document "How to Start your year WBT in kinder" is AMAZING!!!! Second year for me to use it and it was a breeze!!!!!

Week four is almost over and we are so cruising!!! I actually think even my "difficult children" are beginning to come around with the scoreboard...is it possible to have 100% control with JUST THE SCOREBOARD!!!!

PRAY PRAY PRAY!!! LOL!


Farrah Shipley
2010 Intern

I WHOLEHEARTEDLY agree with what these WBT experts are saying about practice, breaking tasks down into bite-sized pieces, and repetition, repetition, repetition! I have moved up to first grade this year, but I am working with the Kinder teachers as a coordinator/mentor. I DO MISS the wonder, excitement, and humor in Kinder, but not the shoe-tying, wet pants, and booger-flinging!!! Kindergarten is a unique, wonderful world!!! I am fully convinced that if someone can successfully teach Kindergarten, s/he can DO ANYTHING!!! Can you imagine being a Kinder teacher with 37 students and no aide? That is what our schools are facing here in Yuma!!!
One idea that works for me is training my students how to deal with issues while I am with small groups or individuals. I have a special scarf (very bright and silky!!!) that I put around my neck while I am working with small groups. I teach my students that if I am wearing my special scarf, I am in a very important meeting with students. We practice what to do, and what constitutes an emergency (3 B's- blood, barf, or bones). I had to laugh when a visitor came in, and one of my students greeted him at the door and said, "May I help you? My teacher cannot be interrupted when she is wearing her silkies." Right idea, less than precise vocabulary!!!
Another thing that I have found helpful is to tell the students WHY it is important, or WHY we are doing something, and then have them verbalize it to their partner. For example, "Why is it important for us to get our backpacks in an orderly way?"" Why do you think we need to be quiet when we are walking in lines?" You can use literature, such as "The Awful Aardvarks Go to School" to help illustrate what happens when the class is chaotic.
One reason why WBT is so successful is that it sets strategies and procedures up as games. Don't we all love games? Especially when I find the tension in the room rising, I know it is time to sing, chant, move, laugh, or pretend.
Keep up the good work with the Kinders! Your First Grade Teachers will be forever filled with gratitude!
Deb Weigel

Hi I am teaching K for the second year. I would love to do WBT as I work at a Title 1 school and management is an issue.You posted something about How to start your WBT year in Kinder and I was wondering where I could find this. If you have any other suggestions/ documents for K I would really appreciate it!!!
Thanks
You can e-mail me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Farrah,

Your end of the day routine is fantastic!!!! THANK YOU!!!!

Thanks,

Liann

@ Lizzie:
I emailed you the doc. Hope it helps:)
Keep us posted on your year:)!
Andrea

Hi. I teach Kinder and am just beginning to learn about WBT. I would like to read your document How to Start Your Year with WBT in Kinder. Could you send it to my email? This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Thanks so much. I am very interesting in learning about WBT.
Diane