I recently implemented the Whole Brain Teaching in my classroom and my kids have responded well to it. Last week and again today, I have encountered an issue that I don't know how to handle. The first week when I did the frowny/smiley faces and the children gave a mighty "Oh yeah," it was a text book response. Now I have children SCREAMING "Oh yeah!" I modeled numerous times the correct way they should respond, but I have the same children screaming (ear piercing screams) each time. I have 14 students - 4 of them respond correctly. It is not uncommon for those remaining 10 students to be disruptive at any given time. Any suggestions? What did I do wrong?

I have a very difficult third grade class this year and they will do a lot of these things to get attention, even when I am trying to give them positives. I have been consistent all year with it and have told them if they don't respond correctly, to first try not responding at all. So if they can't do it correctly, they can just listen to others. If that doesn't work, then as a whole class I say how sad I am but I have to not only give that smiley but now a frown for not appropriately responding. Usually the class with groan and will say to those specific people, please stop! That has been a big helper in my class, I talked to them about the No Guff and how they can positively ask someone to stop without being mean.

Consider using the volume-o-meter. This is the strategy that I used to teach my kinders "appropriate" voice levels. The volume-o-meter allows the students to hear, and try out, different voice levels. Then, you can use the volume-o-meter to set the right tone for your class. Another idea to try is to theme different voices for the day. Often when the students are able to use their favorite character's voice they "forget" to scream. Variety is key---it keeps them on their toes and makes learning fun!

I always change my mighty oh yahs and groans each month. When we change one I have to do it with them the first week. We do it at the same time and I model the gestures so they are doing it right. You just to have to keep modeling it. For example ours this month is Happy Easter for a mighty Oh yahs and Broken Eggs for mighty groans. When I say mighty groan, the kids and I together do the gesture and say Broken Eggs at the same time. Keep up the good work!