Whole Brain Teaching Anyone?

Happy Sunday.

I'm furiously working on one of my Summer Bucket List items:

I'm recovering these pool lounge chairs.  I'm using Sumbrella fabric to "recover" them from oblivion.  We've had these chairs for about five years.  They eventually wore through...meaning, we fell right through them.  Since they are pricy, I got crafty last year and sewed new inserts for them.  They turned out nice.  Unfortunately, they only lasted a year.  So, I'm going through this whole process one more time.

Next year, hubby has agreed to build the nice "Pottery Barn-like" lounge chairs.  No more sewing for me!

Until then, I'm sweating the day away.  {Not literally, just sewing furiously so that I can have these ready before SUMMER officially begins}.

T-minus 8, people!

I've completed one full chair...which means I can stop for now.  I'm really only worried about having a spot for my rear end come June 1st. Plus, I'm out of thread. 

But, I guess if I want family or friends to join me, I should get head out and get more thread.

I'm taking a break to share this with you before heading to the store.

Whole Brain Teaching

Is this a new concept to you?  If so, let me give you a little background.

This year, I've learned so much from so many teacher-bloggers that it is mind boggling at times.  On the other hand, it's so refreshing and my teaching has improved {I think}.   

I think I first read about this concept on Angie's blog: Time Out and Tootsie Rolls. Cute blog, by the way, you should check it out.  After watching a video over on her blog, I was intrigued and wanted to learn more.

So, I started researching.  I asked my boyfriend, Google, all about it.  He was so informative (right Kristen?).

 I found the the idea behind Whole Brain Teaching (also referred to quite a bit as Power Teaching) is this website:

The concept is simple, really.  Basically, we want to teach to the whole brain (remember learning-styles...tactile, kinesthetic, etc.?).  It's simple, really.  There are a few easy little things we can do as teachers to make this a success. I started watching some of the videos on the WBT website.  Chris Biffle has many videos that help you visualize how it works.  Here's lesson 1:

If you are interested in what you see, you should head over the WBT and become a member (it's FREE) and watch the other videos.  There's a series and they are so informative.  

During the last several weeks of school, I've used my students as guinea pigs, folks.  At first, I was afraid they would find it hokey.  They are fourth graders {ie biggies}, after all.  But, they love it :)

Let me tell you, it's working.

I started with the "Class-Yes" and "Mirror".  Both are very effective ways of making sure you have your students' attention.  

Next year, I'm going "full-on" WBT. 

Stephanie over at 3rd Grade Thoughts has a great post of how to introduce the rules.  Head on over to her blog for the scoop of how to introduce rules with motions (essential to WBT).

Intrigued yet?

If this is new to you, leave me a comment letting me know.  If it is not new to you, please leave me a comment telling me how you use WBT in your classroom.  I really want this to be one of my goals this summer to research and then implement next year.  

OK- off to buy that thread.