Okay, I'm just new to all this wonderfullness, and I have been energized by the videos I stumbled upon on YouTube. So, I decide to try it out on my second graders. They quickly took the wind out of my sails. I tried practicing "Class-Yes" and "Teach-Okay" with them several times. I had instant "GUFF". I stopped trying and went on with my day. I decided to give it one more go with something really simple, and ended up leaving things on a positive note. I plan to have them gesture and go over the classroom rules with me several times today. Any suggestions on how to deal with the "Guff" right off the bat?

With a strong willed class, you must go slow. If you think they can handle gesturing and the rules, go ahead. My own suggestion is that you use the "Class-Yes" and the Scoreboard. Please read the article on the K-4th- Scoreboard under "First Steps." Be sure you get them to give you a Mighty Oh Yeah for each Smiley mark and especially a Mighty Groan for each Frowny ... and, be sure they lose by at least one point at first recess and at lunch ... then, if they are doing better by the end of the day, the score comes out even at the last recess. When they lose by a point, take them outside to the playground, stopwatch in hand, and let them watch the other kids play for a minute. Keep us posted! But go slow ... and be firm ... you'll be awarding lots of Smileys and Frownies, but be sure the score comes out to be exactly what you want.

I agree with that. Class-Yes and Scoreboard are a good start, along with gesturing the rules.

With the Scoreboard, don't forget that you are always controlling it. Even if the whole class is doing badly, if you realize they are behind and need a "smiley" point, find one kid that is following directions and make a big deal about it. Everyone gets to do the mighty "Oh Yeah" and that gets people back on track. Don't forget to not let the points get separated by more than 3.

Also, I was talking to another Whole Brain Teacher the other day about how you kind of have to force yourself to be happy. Your mood will influence the mood of the class. If you are silly and energetic, your kids will be too. I'm about a month in, and I have noticed that the honeymoon is definitely over for my class. Sometimes I will come in from lunch just tired and not too enthusiastic, and even though I use the Whole Brain Teaching strategies still, my mood transfers to the class.

Stick with it, Whole Brain Teaching offers many rewards!

I thought of one other thing that helped on the first days (and now too). Repeating the rules a lot gets them in their heads but also in yours, so you can always point to a rule when giving a verbal warning or putting a "frowny" point up. i.e. "Are you following rule 2 right now?"

Second graders sound just like 7th graders... its amazing!

I just wanted to wish you luck, and remeber to have fun!

When I first introduced No Guff, my students would use guff just to get some attention. Soooo, I took a step back and thought about it some more. I had to slow down and really put more time in with the Scoreboard and the Practice Cards. I probably won't go to the No Guff level this year. Anyway, all is going well. Good luck to all of you!

Woo Hoo! I'm a Junior Boarder now.

How does the forum ranking change?

The more you post the better your forum ranking becomes:)

;)Weeeellllll, I introduced NO GUFF this week. This was my second attempt to use that level. The first attempt was a failure, as I had done it too soon in the school year.
ANYWAY, this time it WORKED!!!! YEAH, for WBT!!!!

No Guff is still working in my class....like a charm! Yeah, WBT!!!!