Let's chat! Lets get some grade specific discussion going on! What were your biggest challenges this year...what did you just have a hard time getting together? Lets get it going!

Farrah Shipley
WBT
Kindergarten
Texas

I would say that this year I tried more than ever and stretched my kinder horizons. For example~ I moved WBT into my small groups and had students teach their neighbors and do the crazy professor in my guided reading groups. Also~ this has been the first year for student leaders and they loved it!!!

But as far as challenges are concerned~ I would say more variations. I did try more variations this year with the scoreboard, which was very helpful, but I can't wait to add even more variations to my toolbelt. It seems to keep the kiddos on their toes and keeps everything new and exciting!!!! A key to that will be that next year I will drag things out to begin with instead of giving so much away at first. Starting slow and keeping some of the specialty items in my back pocket will be the challenge I will be taking on next year!!!

Awesome...You know you are my hero right Andrea!

I agree with dragging it out a bit! Although my kinders rose to the challenge...I did push through some things faster than I normally would have because of the internship and video challenges! But it did prove to me that yes kinders can do this!

I think my biggest challenge this year was being creative with the process. I mean I stuck so obsessively with the exact procedures of WBT (with good reason..the internship) that I didn't get very creative with changing up the scoreboard and such. I changed it some like using Mystery Road and such but changing the sounds for smilies/frownies and changing the class/yes was not something I was too interested in. Perhaps it was my mentality if it ain't broke don't fix it! And while for the most part I didn't need to change it up...the kids might have enjoyed it even more!

Another challenge I think I will tackle next year (actually this summer) is getting all my lessons into the WBT lesson format! I really flew by the seat of my pants this year with lessons since I didn't see the format until late in the year...but it worked and my kiddos did great...but my goal is to be completely planned out with all power pix concepts and such by the beginning of the year so that I can just pull and go! I know....big challenge...but hey...it's good to have goals!

Andrea...a big THANK YOU for all your feedback and such throughout the process this year! And prayers and support!

Power to the Teachers
Farrah Shipley
WBT
Texas
Kindergarten

I am first grade this year but just found out Friday I will be moving to kinder.
You two are a big reason I am not freaking out, I know I can still use WBT with kinders. I have to use a basal at my school but I hope to match up Power Pics to my units as much as possible this summer so I'm ready.

Question for you both-I have a class set of balance ball chairs from DonorsChoose. Do you think kinders will do well with them or should I use regular chairs? I'm thinking I might just use them on the carpet instead of their desks

I can TRY to help you too, I had this same experience last school year. I had to move rooms and change from first to kinder. So, let me know what you may need help with. As the saying goes, been there done that, and boy did WBT save my life!

Annette

I don't guess I am familiar with balance ball chairs...I looked them up on google and they look like the exercise ball on a chair...so I was thinking OH HOW COOL! However I would probably never get them to sit still LOL! Because I wouldn't want to either! LOL!

I think they would be cool for "super speed wheels" when turning for teach/ok...I might use them for that in my classroom as a "treat" when doing teach/ok" because they could bounce and turn quickly on the ball!

Kinder is so much fun by the way. There is something about getting a blank slate and knowing at the end of the year YOU are responsible for everything they have learned ! And with WBT you can progress them faster and even prepare them to be the SUPER SMARTIES IN 1st GRADE!

LMK if there is ANYTHING I can help with!

Power to the Teachers
Farrah Shipley
WBT Kindergarten
Texas

ATTENTION,

It's great that you are all able to use the HBT methods in your classroom. I am an ESL teacher in Bangkok Thailand and would love to hear from anyone in the States using this system with kinders that are not native english speakers and here your success and failures. Especially from you teachers on the border(not the Canadian one) or Florida...Best of luck to all of you!!

@ Farrah~ you are awesome and were a blast to work with. Love you girl!

@Scrapbunny~ I don't know what balance chairs are either~ but I am excited for your first year in kinder!!!!

@ chadillac0~ I am in California and I teach at a school where the primary language is Spanish. And of course since I am teaching kinder there is quite a few that come in with limited or no English. and i have to say that WBT is the most effective tool I have ever used for language development. The students get many practices with oral language development with the Teach! Okay! And of course the gesturing is an outstanding tool for second language learners. Research shows that visuals and TPR's (total physical response: AKA gesturing) are the most effective tools for successful language development. so,.......WBT ROCKS! with your English Language Learners (and all your students!)

Thanks Andrea,

Just for kicks, are you making any profit from this site?? Obviously as a moderator on the site, you must be involved with Chris in some fashion. Can you give me some examples or your successes in the classroom aside from the ones that are widely known already as far as TPR. I'm quite aware of what works and doesn't as I have been teaching non native speakers for 10 years. Why is HBT a better way of teaching, and why should my school implement this system? Any feed back would be greatly appreciated.... Best of luck

I have been moved from 4th grade to kindergarten for the upcoming year. I have also joined the WBT interns....Are there any suggestions you could give me in working on my lessons for the coming year. My class will consist of the retainees from last year...any help, suggestions would be greatly appreciated...thanks kel:woohoo:

My advise is to really make it silly with the 5 rules and the class-yes! Repeat constantly the five rules using fingers to count and the movements to go with it. NO correction -- say (when they blurt out an answer) what is rule #2? After a while, the kids will say "Raise your hand if you want to speak!"
Be VERY consistent and focused on the lesson you were teaching. I also used the clues of their body language the 1st and 2nd days to "help" with the seating arrangement. It worked wonders by separating the live wires. All were able to stay focused.
Practice 3-4 times everyday and reward with silly stuff. Jumping for the abc's, hopping to their seats, moving like a crab to the reading area, balancing on one foot for the count of 5, etc.
I loved the class-yes. 1st graders came into my Kindergarten class and it still worked with them. It was amazing!!
Enjoy:woohoo: Any questions -- just email me.