Hi...how exciting is this!? Ok well.....this is be my first year with my own classroom, and I will be teaching 3rd grade. I am a believer in WBT! How should I start out implementing it?? I read Biffle give a kindergarten teacher a day by day break down for the first week or two, and I want the same!!! Please help! I am so new at this, and want to be successful. Thank you!

Hi I also teach third grade and have been using these techniques with success for over 5 years. The kindergarten plan looks great! Since my students are older I spend most of my first day (until they start to peter out after lunch) introducing all the rules and procedures then revisit them each day first thing in the morning. I break up the modeling/ and role playing for each rule over the week though. As the week goes by the amount of time I spend on rules decreases but generally goes up to the first recess on day four. Day five I may spend only the first hour. You should throw in any extra rehearsals as the need presents itself. You could never provide too much emphasis with modeling and role - play. You're setting a foundation. The more time you allow for this, the more successful your school year will go.

Provide necessary consequences right away on the first day (frownies) so students see the system in action. Make a huge dramatic deal out of anyone who bends the rules as if they must have come from another planet, of course in a respectful tone. Apply the points to the score board in a dramatic fashion. I generally like to be a bit silly in my approach. But, I start the year with a very serious and grave tone that stops anyone in their tracks, where students don’t know whether to gasp or chuckle because they are embarrassed by me, but by the end they are relieved. One hint that has helped me is having WBT techniques/ posters clearly posted where I can see them as I teach, and not just for the students so I remember to use them. I have an extra list of techniques posted on the back wall that helps to remind me to use them when I see the class needs extra motivation or they are having a tough day following the rules. You can change the list as needed.

Daily Reinforcement is so important!!!! Each week I choose a student (all get a chance) to be my teacher assistant. Their duty each morning is to lead the pledge and our daily affirmation. As well as go over all the rules each morning with gestures (students must repeat them back with gestures) and even quizzing the students, on the rules out of order and in different voices to keep it interesting. If they are successful at saying and gesturing the rules aloud as a whole class they earn happy points. If unenthusiastic or some don't participate then the class gets frowny points. Sometimes I use the frowny points for how many minutes we will spend reviewing the rules instead of getting to recess or a classroom activity. Your TA can also be prompted to review or rehearse specific rules through out the day. Everyone gets to be a leader and enforcer of the rules as some point. This builds great buy-in!!

Be confident and consistent with your approach and you will succeed!
Good luck on your new school year!
Julie

Thank you so much Julie...you are so helpful and encouraging!

Hi Julie. Hope your year is progressing well. How I wished I had had the opportunity to start my teaching career with Whole Brain Teaching! I have a couple of suggestions that may help with your continued implementation of WBT in your classroom. First, view every WBT video on the WBT website, youtube, and teachertube. Next, register on Twitter.com and become a follower of chrisbiffle. That will give you early information about upcoming conferences around the country. In addition, try to attend the 3-day National WBT Conference in Louisiana next June. What a phenomenal opportunity that will be!!

I just attended the SoCal WBT Conference in Hemet, CA, yesterday. Even though I had read everything I could get my hands on and had viewed every video I could find on the internet, the ideas presented at the conference will help me immeasurably as I continue to expand the use of WBT concepts in my classroom. So, just keep an eye on the WBT calendar for activities in your area.

Good luck, Julie!!

I too thought third grade and you start by teaching everytinhg the first day. the kids are old enough that they are capable to do it all the first day. I did the same in second grade too. The key is to be consistent all the time. The more consistent you are the more the students buy into it. Good luck and I know your year will be great.