I am so excited to begin whole brain teaching when school starts back. I have been watching videos and reading all of the ebooks this summer. I will be teaching 7th grade math this year. My question is: how much do you teach them the first day? Class-yes, teach-ok, 5 rules? And in what particular order. I don't want to overwhelm them. It seems like if I taught everything the first day...it's a little much. Just wondering???

There are directions that have been posted previously but they are directed to primary teachers. They could give you direction. If I were to put myself in your shoes I would get my class solid on class yes,mighty oh yeah and groans for scoreboard points, the 5 rules and routines such as papers books and lines. You could introduce the difference in lecture taught class and whole brain and that you will cover material with gestures and participation. Then go on from there. I have taught 6th grade but bet 7th are much more savvy in working the rules so stay strong.

Annette
L

At the beginning of the year, you want to introduce the rules and procedures before they become an issue. So, before you need to use the book, teach page procedures. Before someone fails to make the "Dear teacher happy", teach rule 5. The first days of school are ideal for procedures rather than content anyway... you know?! I would incorporate the Scoreboard right away as well.

So think of WBT methods as having 3 areas of influence- management,instruction, and skills. Allow the management steps to come first then the instruction followed by skills.

Hope this helps. I read over some answers to similar questions on the forum and thought about what worked in my class to try and help.

Roxi,
WBT Intern, 2011-2012
wholebrainwithroxishayne.blogspot.com

Great answer, Roxi.

I usually teach them class-yes, the Scoreboard, Mighty Oh-Yeah, and the Mighty Groan on the first day. I reinforce for a day, then introduce the rest of the big seven.