My First Day of Whole Brain Teaching!

It's over.  We all ate lunch and made it home.  That's a successful first day in my book.  This year I have 15 little darlings excited about being a big kid.  They are a sweet little bunch and I am looking forward to experimenting trying out some new things on these kids... :)  Over the summer I discovered Whole Brain Teaching.  If you are not familiar with it, please check out their website {HERE} or some of my previous blog posts on it {HERE}.  Our first day was all about procedures.  We went over everything you can imagine.  How to sit at a desk (they sat at tables in K), how to go to carpet, how to line up, go to the bathroom, and unpack their things.  How to do morning work, turn it in, and what to do when finished.  How to walk in the hall, where to sit in the cafeteria, and playground rules.  I am familiar with all of these procedures.  I am comfortable with them and know what they look like.  What I was unfamiliar with was teaching Whole Brain Teaching Rules and setting a foundation for learning the Whole Brain way.

I watched Coach B's webcast on the first hour of WBT, but adapted it to fit my needs.  It was not possible for me to start the day with it.  I waited until mid-morning to begin.  I started with the rules.  I am using the 5 classroom rules from WBT.  I taught the rules with the gestures.  We went over them a hundred times.  We talked about what each one means and what it covers. The rules are:
1.  Follow directions quickly.
2.  Raise your hand to speak.
3.  Raise your hand to leave your seat.
4.  Make smart choices.
5.  Make your teacher happy.
I had one or two who didn't really want to do the gestures with us.  I am hoping that after a few more days and them seeing everyone else doing it, that they will come around.  Has anyone else had trouble with a child refusing to participate? If so, how did you handle it?
I also introduced Class-Yes and Hands & Eyes.  They absolutely loved Class-Yes!  We had a lot of fun using different voices and tones.  I am just thankful that no one walked in and heard me!  I guess I just have to get over it.  My principal is in and out all day so I know it's going to happen, it's only a matter of time...
About half way through the day, I introduced the Scoreboard.  We practiced the Mighty Groan and the Mighty Oh Yeah.  We worked on being prompt- I told them as soon as they see my marker make the mark they were to start, and we worked on unison.  I explained that the Mighty Oh Yeah was a one second celebration in their table talk volume because we didn't want to disturb the class next door.  (Our rooms are connected without a door or wall.)  The day ended with 8 Smilies and 9 Frownies, which is exactly how I wanted it- There's no way I could have let them win on the first day!  I've got to give them a reason to come back on Monday and try even harder!

So tomorrow is Monday.  Day 2 of Whole Brain Teaching training for my little dolls.  I will let you know how it goes!