Well, at 56 years old and after teaching for 20+ years, I took the plunge and started using WBT in my 9th grade Algebra 1 inclusion class. This class has all the players in it and they can't/won't sit for lecture. I was so nervous-I had watched the videos, read the most of the text, look at the discussion forums and wrote up a plan. Even after all that, I had to gather my courage so that while the class was entering the class, I still wasn't sure if I was willing to try this.

It went ok. I spoke about the brain and tied movement, observing, and teaching into better learning. They got Class yes ok, I introduced teach! Okay! and they reviewed the rules using that. Not 100% participation. Geez, day one. Many were on board and using gestures. I think I might need to rearrange the class a bit. If I can maintain the energy, I think the kids will go along with this.

When should I introduce the score board?

This is wild! I am really excited about this and am hopeful for the results.

Tomorrow we'll review Class! Yes!, the rules and Teach! Okay! and then start a new lesson on interpreting bar and line graphs. Any suggestions for hand signals or how to approach with WBT?

Thanks. Tim

Tim,
I am new to WBT this year and I beat you age wise by a year and quite a few more in teaching time. Although I did the same as you spent the summer watching (memorizing) the videos and reading and downloading everything I could get my hands on, I stuck my foot in the door and went for it. I've been an upper grade teacher, and now I am teaching kindergarten.

Well, I have been using this since Sept. and we've had our ups and downs but I really see a lot a merit in the research and energy it brings to engaging students. You'll get a lot of help here, stick with it I know someone in this forum that works with secondary will help you.

Just remember, you can teach an old dog new tricks. Stick with it.
Annette

Hi Tim,
I used the Scoreboard right away! The kids love it and I LIVE by it! I use this to rock and roll them all day long! It helps me to the keep the energy in the classroom and to address rules that we need to rehearse. Watch the First steps video again to refresh your memory! Age is no factor using WBT! The Mighty Groan and Oh yeah are my class favorites! Let us know how it is going!

Dawn Nelson
WBT Intern

Tim

You can start using the Scoreboard right away. The students typically reallylike it. Remembr to give them a couple of practice runs with both the One second party and the Mighty Groan. Start out with the standard for both. Once they are used to those try adding a new or different.version of each one every couple of weeks to keep it fesh and keep them interested. There are a lot of examples for these on another thread here.

I started using WBT with my second grade students. They are really excited every time I say CLASS and they respond YES. They caught on quickly! We review the 5 rules numerous times during the day. I use Rule 2 VERY often and the class gets very quiet. I am still learning and continue to watch the videos.

After one week of WBT, there is such positive energy in my algebra 1, inclusion class. I am having a great time! Instead of putting out fires keeping kids from talking out, I call out "Rule Two", and many, not all, recite rule 2. Using "Class! Yes!" and "Teach! OK!" and the scoreboard just feed into the postiveness of the class. It is amazing what's happened in one week!

Today we started giving out 10 fingered woos to those who could recite the rules. At the end of class, Jose, who usually announces that he's glad to be in class so he can sleep, earned a 10 fingered woo from the class for completing some work. And then he smiled.

Since starting this, I find myself really looking forward to my 6th period class, even though it's late in the day, once I say Class! and they say Yes!, I have to laugh and enjoy myself.

Thank you for your support.

I teach ESL in China and this stuff has really changed my classes! How long does it last? What's the longest anyone has used this with one particular class?

I use this approach all year long with my classes. The key is to avoid habituation. To keep it fresh always try to avoid using the same Class-Yes multiple times in a day. Change up the way you say it frequently. There is a thread here on new One Second Parties and Mighty Groans for the same reason.

Add new activities, games, and try to do more things in your class using the basic skills you get from WBT. The possibilities are really limitless.

As always, ask here if you need help or have more questions.

Hello, world!

Quick question, has anyone ever just used the Scoreboard all year round w/o a lot of change in the levels? My kids love it and with just a few additions to the Scoreboard, I haveven't had to progress to the next level. I don't think this would have happened with my class last year if I had used it correctly, but this year behavior isn't quite an issue. Now...thinkint outside the worksheet is definitely an issue I've been trying to conquer all year long!!! But I have been able to tame some of my tigers with the Bulls Eye Game. I'm still doing it right.....right????

Hi all the Great Teacher here..

i'm khsirul from Malaysia..i'm also new in this WBT..i'm just trying this WBT in the classroom right now..the lesson become more enjoyable..thanks to the founder of WBT..but i still need more help on how to make gesture..for information i teaching a students in secondary school in ages around 13 years old..

Need more help from teacher of WBT here..

Khairul,

What terms are you trying to use gestures for?

You really can just make up whatever gestures you'd like!!

Hi jay,

i'm teaching mathematics in gread 7..topic basic measurement.by the way my students like to talk but they not talking about what a surposely they talk..talking at no point..how to handle this group of student by using WBT?