Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Really...tomorrow is December???

I can't believe that tomorrow is December and in a few more weeks it will be the end of 2nd quarter!! Where does the school year go? So little time to get everything accomplished in one school year! I am so thankful for WBT and the strategies that help me to be an effective teacher for my students! There are many extra activities going on at this time of the year and WBT keeps everyone grounded and engaged in each lesson!

To keep the students engaged and involved in the process, I have added a few things to our daily routine. To keep my students motivated by the scoreboard, I have a daily board rotation schedule which allows each of my students on a specific day of the week to design the scoreboard. Students get to choose the color, the design, what they are playing for, and the saying for the day! Such a small, routine procedure that is motivating my students and getting their buy-in to give their all each day in the classroom! To sum it up, it's the small things that make the difference! For a treasure trove of small ideas that make a BIG difference, please visit http://www.wholebrainteaching.com/


WBT Rocks!

Laura Caisse
WBT Intern, 2011-2012

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Hollywood....Here we come!!

Here we are again and Friday is mid-term of second quarter! This time of the year just flies by and it is the New Year before we know it! This time of the year is hectic, crazy, and busy with lots to accomplish, even though it seems like there is something special on the calendar at least 2-3 times a week! As the days go by, December will be here and that is the deadline for the first WBT YouTube submission from my class!

From the beginning of the school year, students use the digital cameras and videos for several projects and presentations. They are now feeling like pros when it comes to using the technology, as well as being part of the presentations! I am hoping that this new found appreciation and confidence will show up the day we make our class video. I am excited, as well as my students are excited about participating in a project that will help other students learn new concepts or review concepts that they were previously taught!

To learn about WBT visit http://www.wholebrainteaching.com/

Hollywood....Here We Come!!

Laura Caisse
WBT Intern, 2011-2012

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Super Improvers Wall

Last weekend, I went to my classroom to work and I put up the words SUPER IMPROVERS WALL on the back wall. First thing on Monday morning as the students began to arrive, it did not take long for a student to ask....What is the SUPER IMPROVERS WALL??? I casually replied, "I'll tell you more later!"

One week has gone by, student excitement is high, and I am ready to add the student nametags and color code to the wall on Monday. I am sure that the new additions to the wall will be noticed as soon as the students arrive in the classroom. After watching WBT TV 503 SUPER IMPROVERS WALL at http://www.wholebrainteaching.com/ , I am ready to explain the process to my students.

This week, I am also going to introduce the practice cards to my students. First quarter has ended and we are now in second quarter. I have a couple of students who are going to benefit greatly from the use of the combination of strategies.

Have a great week!

Laura Caisse
WBT Intern, 2011-2012