Friday, May 18, 2012

Summer break.....here I come!!!!

Another group of fifth graders have been promoted to middle school and summer break here I come! It is always sad to see my students go each year, but I am also excited for the new experiences that are awaiting them in middle school! To end our year with a bang, today (the last day of school), my students filmed their 2nd WBT YouTube video submission! They did a fantastic job and really showed growth from our first submission. You can view our video at http://youtu.be/ujiplAs7FM8

As you head out on your summer break, make sure that you add WBT to your weekly schedule! Make sure you check out the website http://www.wholebrainteaching.com/, the forum, the WBT TV video segments each week or in the archives, and WBT teachers/interns blogs. You will be amazed at all the new WBT tidbits you will learn!

Have a safe and happy summer break!

Laura Caisse
WBT Intern, 2011-2012

Thursday, May 10, 2012

One week and counting.....

Again, I am amazed at how fast time flies by and before you know it, the end of the year is here!! As the last week of school is upon us, we are scrambling to get everything done and completed! Every year, there seems to be more activities that are added to the last few weeks of school! We have already completed our Reading Carnival,  field trip, Cinco De Mayo celebration, Fly-in, Science Fair, AR goal-getter bowling party, middle school visit, MAP movie and park rewards, BMX assembly, talent show, and our yearly track meet!! Whew....and we still have writing our memoirs, Promotion Ceremony, Awards assembly, and filming our final WBT video!!!!

As the school year comes to a close, it is a good time for the students to take a walk through their Data Notebooks and reflect on their year! What were their goals for 4th quarter? Did they meet their goal? If so, WAY TO GO! If not, why not? What could they have done differently to meet the goal? Did WB strategies help them throughout the year? Individually and as a class? What structures were the most beneficial? This is a great activity, as I have had past students come back to me and tell me they wish middle school teachers would use WBT, as it really helped them learn, especially in areas of school they struggled with!!!

I am excited for summer break and to have the opportunity to relax and reflect as well! I am looking forward to attending WBT conference in MO with my grade level, too!