Desk

Ok.

I know ahead of time.
This post.
Will likely strike a not so nice chord with some teachers.
And even some teachery type friends.

But the opinions I express here are mine.
They make sense to me.
So if you are in some way offended - I put that back on you.
I'm talking about my teaching practice and what my belief is.

It is no way a judgement of you.
Here we go.

I never had a desk.
A teacher one that is.

I read something in graduate school.
A small snippet of something or Dr. Grassetti had mentioned it.
And I decided I didn't need one.

It was a place for piles.
And it felt like it asserted power that I didn't want.
And somehow made me the most important person in the room - which I am not.

For so many new teachers and old ones for that matter,
A desk is a requirement.
You've waited your entire life for knick knack space and pen holders.
And the ever so important place to lock up your valuables since you can't trust your kids.

I decided I wanted to learn WITH my class, experience learning with them, rather than at them.
To this day I can tell a lot about a teacher by the size of their desk.
How important they feel.
How much they want their student's respect.
How little they trust their kids.

And I can also tell, when someone has given over to this believe.
And decided that their classroom will be a community, not just "theirs".

The next question becomes what do you DO with all your STUFF?!
Honestly, I try not to have too much of it.
I made myself a teacher toolbox, which I'm happy to share on another post.
And that's about it.
I also have a shelf in the library that's materialy.

And.

Last year, I built (so easy).
My own standing computer table.
Both the kids and I use it.
And man alive, do we love it.

You can make one too.
SO easy.

You'll need a table top: LINNMON Table Top IKEA
And a 4 Cube Organizer: Better Homes and Garden Walmart
And...
are you even ready for this:
Industrial strength velcro.

Yes, folks.
No glue, no nails.
Nothing.

That's it.
Velcro the bottom of the table top and the tope of the 4 Cubes and done.
I got fancy and addes casters to mine so it can also roll anywhere in the room.
But.
Also super easy.
We love our standing "desk" and I appreciate that we all have a chance to move.
Without feeling like - Ms. Witherell has a spot dedicated solely to me. :)

Love

I am working hard on completing my assignments for silver level Whole Brain Teaching certification.
I've written essays.
I've reflected.
And now, we're filming.

And ya'll.
I hate being filmed.
Which is ironic as I spent an entire year on a reality TV Show.

Suffice it to say that year was more than enough.
Anyways.
Point being.
I hate being filmed.

So I asked my class to really help me out when it came to filming.
To show their stuff.
To be awesome.

Which means.
Of Course.
The first footage is of my number 18 almost flipping over the green table at group.

Lol.

But, then.
Oh my gosh.
Then.

It's fast.
It's collaboration.
It's seeing room for improvement and things that went well.

It's seeing some of the things I missed and being able to praise it.
There is so much beauty in the break down of the film.

I love my kids.
It took awhile, like three month, but I love them.
For who they are.
Who they will become.
And for everything they let me help them with.

They are broken.
They are bruised.
Traumatized.
New.
Old.
Young.
Babies.
Leaders.
Followers.
And everything in between.

But they are perfect.

For those of you who don't know me in real life, I am NOT a hugger.
Repeat NOT.

For a host of personal reasons and because LICE is rampant in our room.
And I hate to be the teacher who is like I'll hug you but you have lice so no.

So it's a universal thing that Ms. Witherell is not a hugger.
Well, today, at the end of testing for winter MAP.
And traveling to London.
And sewing stockings and making Chrismtas Cards.

I was beat.
Buh buh beat.

I was standing near the smart board waiting for dismissal to begin. 
Miss C and her little self stood on the far side of the carpet.
Miss C who jumped in map like 17 points and made benchmark.
Miss C who asked me twice if I was having a bad day, lol, I wasn't.

You sure?
I was having a great day, I said.

Miss C stood there, arms outstretched, "Ms. Witherell, do you think today I could get a hug."

And even though our lice friend was sent home today with more lice.
And even though I don't hug on princple.
She ran up and gave me a hug.
And I let her little body melt into mine.
And I whispered loudly, "I'm really proud to call you mine."
"You are?"  She responded.
"Best day ever."
"You sure?" She said again.
"Positive," I replied.

I love them.
I choose love every day.
Because everything else in their worlds hasn't been that way.
And sometimes, love is all I have to give.
And probably all they need.

N.O.T.E.S.

I wanted to share the ONLY thing I have for sale on Teachers Pay Teachers, ha. :)

I LOVE LOVE LOVE it for taking notes on testing or any thing read, really.

Each letter of the word NOTES, stands for a skill of "close reading".

--->N.O.T.E.S

I like the ease of having them separated, though many classrooms at my school used the poster just put together.  I separated mine to have the ability to teach closely one skill.  I pull down the S and say, today, I'm really looking for those quick simple sketches that help me see you understand the story.

In case you don't want to buy it and make your own - and honestly some of the best ideas are the ones we share here is what they mean:

N. NUMBER your paragraphs or sentences.  This will make it easy when citing work or having to go back and look for an answer in a specific paragraph.

O. Circle or Box words and sentences that are crucial for understanding.  In the beginning they circle too much and not the right stuff, but they have gotten SO much better over the past three and half months.

#hasTag.  This is the best, especially in third grade.  They think it's a riot.  #what?!  #thisiswrong #money!  You can see in the photos hashtagging is a BIG hit and the kids love it!

E. EXPRESS your own ideas and thoughts.  Make a connection to the text understand by connection.  "Me too" or "Not fair!"

finally everyone's favorite:

S. SIMPLE SKETCHES  Quick drawings that help you understand what you read with a quick glance.  They kids eat this one up.

Here are some student work samples of "marking" up their READING before they answer questions or produce a writing sample.

I especially love seeing them take standardized testing and watching them write down this strategy to use. :)

At this point in our year, I don't even say start with NOTES, they just begin numbering their sentences or paragraphs and circling key words.

#icouldjustdieiloveherhashtags ;)

If you haven't guessed, their favorite part is #hashtagging everything.  Some of them are more successful than others.

Photo

I started putting together some photos of our travels around the world from the travel unit.  Some of you wonderful readers have asked how to do it.  Here's the best I can do to support.  Let me know if I can make anything more clear!  HAVE FUN!

I'm printing each student a copy of their photo @ CVS.  Right now, CVS has .11 cent photos if you order 100 or more.  I've decided that each photo will act as a postcard assessment.  At the end of each week they will write letters home from their respective countries sharing what we've learned.  A great keep sake for a great unit!

Want

Ever since I can remember, I wanted to be a teacher.  The picture of teaching, when it first entered my mind was glitter, comfy stools, and changing a child's life.  I can attest to there being PLENTY of glitter in room 115.  We have lots of comfy stools and I pray daily that I'm doing good; that a child is safe and knows they are loved when they enter our family...I mean room.

My very first year of teaching, I don't think I received a single gift.  Nor, did I need one.  I was teaching in the poorest of districts, in the poorest of schools.  Hand made cards weren't really an option.  What I received was a lot of hugs.  A few, "I love you Miss, you're the best teacher I ever been havin'." And a lot of love.  That year was priceless.  I also received a cow piggy bank, and the cow was wearing red high heels and yes, it was awesome.

🐄

I digress.

Now that I've been in the game a while, I wanted you to know, what I really want. 
It can not be purchased at a store or even online.
You can not use glitter or enough glue. 
It does not require modge podge or laminate paper. 
It's not even a Teacher's Pay Teacher's gift card - though - let's be honest, that'd be cool -  love you. 
It does not come in a box or a bag. 
It is not a plaque like my teacher of the year award. 
Or even crystal like my recognition trophy. 
It is not written in pencil, pen, or marker. 
It is not an email. 
Or a letter. 
It is not nail polish or even felt tip pens...but again, if you already bought those...I mean. ☺☺☺☺

All I want.

What I really, really want.

Is to know.

Yes, just to know.

That while I've taught you.

You have learned.

I want to see you spread glorious kindness to others.

I want to stand in awe of the courage you show.

I want to smile with pride, beam even, at your show of infinite grit.

I want to step back and let you show your leadership skills, because you can.

I want to see you be the miracle I know you are.

You are perfect, just the way you are.

Even when you make mistakes, they are pretty perfect, too.

So, spare me the candle, no seriously, spare it, I have like a million.

And the gift cards, even though that's really nice.

And offer to read a story to a friend.

Or teach a friend a new skill.

Or show compassion in the face of unkindness.

You are the greatest gift I could ever receive.

Just the 18...19 of you, just the way you are.

Read

The holiday season has reached 115.

Many families at our school celebrate Christmas.

I happen to not be one of them (I mean, we rock those 8 crazy nights.)

;)

Regardless of what we celebrate, I want my entire class to be knowledgeable.

On customs around the world.

Not just in our neck of the world.

One great way to do this is to read books.

So.

My very first year I started collecting books.

Some were gifts to me or my class, some I picked up because I knew we needed them.

Kwanza, Christmas, Hanukah, Winter Solstice, and Winter theme books abound.

By December 1st, I wrap up one book for each student.

Not to give as a gift.

But to add to our classroom library.

They are all AR books, all levels.

Each school day I pull 1 or 2 numbers of a student.

That student opens the book.

I have a strong group of third graders this year, so when they open the books they also take my seat and read it to the class.

Two years ago, I had a third grade group that wouldn't have been successful (slash we tried one and it was pretty painful for that students, so I opted to read from there on out).

Still fun, still exciting.

And then best part is it's technically free.

I don't buy new books every year, I wrap up ones we already have!

Then once they are open they are back in the library.

My kids LOVE LOVE LOVE it.

Some of the books, especially the ones about winter will be kick off points for us for a winter activity.  The best part of that it is - I don't know which ones they will choose. 

It does take a little planning, but it's really fun.

I have all the activities ready to go, and when they are reading the book, my co-teacher and I get the activity ready.

Little Miss G. picked a poem book on Friday about a boy who wonders if the next day will be a snow day (even though it's summer).

The kids do a cute writing activity about if tomorrow were 100 degrees and it was a "sun day" instead of a snow day (we live in New England so snow days are much more likely.)

We served lemonade with a beach umbrellas while the kids worked.  They loved it!

Adding a little magic to the season is always my goal.

This year we added MAP testing Benchmarking and AR Benchmarking to the month of December, that's a lot of testing before  Winter Break.

I hope you can find time for a little magic in your classrooms this holiday season.

Our FAVORITE HOLIDAY reads:

Simon and the Bear

Winter Solstice

Lil' Rabbits Kwanza

The Night of Las Posadas

Totally Polar

Write

I love teaching writing.
Our school uses Collins Writing and Keys to Literacy.

Which is so funny since John Collins is married to Becky DeSmith who is a KTL Trainer.
Anyhoo. I adore both these programs and think they have made a gigantic impact on my students as readers and writers.

I've started writing more to show the kids that joy in writing.
When they read during independent reading, 4 out of the 5 days I read.
Something I'm intereted in.
I just finished Fortunately, Milk and found a higher reader who devoured it after me.
Before that I read Fish In A Tree...if you have not read it, stop reading this and go get it.
The other day I assess where they, evaluate their Accelerated Reader Assessments, etc.

Same thing with writing.
But "just" teaching them to write, doesn't necessarily inspire writing.
Fears of spelling and grammar mistakes can hold back even the brightest kid.

So at least twice, if not more times in a week, we do a quick write that's sole purpose is fun.
Not to be over edited and rewritten so it's pretty, just to get our ideas out...and share them.

A few years ago now I found an And Then...box on a shelf in a store here in Western Massachusetts called the Cedar Chest, it's eclectic and fun.

My better half limits the amount of time I spend there as their stationary section steals my heart the second we lock eyes.  "We don't need any more paper!" He'll say, before buying me some because he knows I won't let us leave otherwise.

And we LOVE LOVE LOVE And Then.
It's a simple box with a simple concept:
There is a set of cards with a little bit of a story.

Each story ends with...dun dun dun...AND THEN...

And that's when the kids pick up their pencils and start writing.
The first few times we did it, I wrote WITH them.
Now I just write my own while they are writing theirs.

To add an extra element of fun, I pick a student number to come up and "Pick a card, any card" and they take that responsibility very seriously.

Here's an early example with the card I read aloud and the student writing - and yes, I love her big ole enthusiasm as much as the next teacher, sometimes, you just gotta write - and I mean, can you tell it really was the WORST DAY EVER!!!! LOL :)

I don't know if Cedar Chest still carries this, so I've linked you to two of my favorite sites, Volume One is carried by Jet - so when you order you groceries this month, throw one in your cart.  And Volume 2 is carried by Le Target Boutique ;).

Volume #1
Volume #2

Travel

 

I had no idea, when I posted this photo of our class on our way to Greenland, it was going to be such a hit.

Many of my readers wanted to know more.

So.

Here we go:

Starting my first year of teaching, I had a smartboard, and I had some of the neediest kids. 
Kids who had never been on a plane.
Or train.
Or boat.
Or out of their barrio in the very inner city.

And so.
I started showing them what the jetway was.
And the plane boarding and the whole shebang.

Today, I don't teach in quiet the same environment.
We're more rural/suburban.

BUT - I do work at the Disney World of Elementary Schools.
LOVE...LOVE...LOVE.

Though the kids still lack a lot of experiences.
So, while they are at afternoon Extended Learning Time (this week they have Technology), I get the room ready.

This is actually the most time consuming part.
I only have 5 chairs.
We are a flexible seating room, so I have to borrow chairs from another specials room for this period.

I set them up in rows of two, the last row has three each as we have 18 kids.
I pass out Rachelle's amazing:
 Suitcase
Passport

Vocab Book

Along with a ticketthe day before, so I just pass out their suitcases at the end of specials.

When they enter the room, this is paused on the board:
   
Then we watch just a little bit of this, probably about 4-5 minutes.
While this next video is playing, we pass out our snack.
Yesterday we had oreos and crackers.

Our school provides daily snack, so next week, I'm just going to give them their regular snack during this time.
 

 

We spend a little bit of time talking about Greenland and pass out Rachelle's info sheet.

She also has a craftivity, but in this case, it was a letter to Santa, and we opted to do a video of Greenland over the craft.

Our class watched this:

Exploring caves as a job:

The class' favorite - Glaciers Up Close :) :

Honestly, here's the link to Rachelle's Work:
Holidays Around the World Part 1 & 2
It's incredible.
I don't even use her book recs, but they are there.
Bulletin board stuff.
There.
Passages.
There.
Games.
Pictures.
There and There.

One of the best products I've purchased from TPT.
(*I don't know her IRL, I don't get points for telling you I love it, it simply is easy to use and has over 200 pages.  So.  That should just speak for itself)

Sharing this experience with the kids is the best.
I am humbled by their enthusiasm and constant joy.
It's "free".
Like I don't have to order books online or DVDs, I just scour the internet for cool videos.
And let the magic of moving a few chairs do it's work.  Simply the best.!

As a souvenir, from each country, I pick a backdrop and we take a tourist class shot on our "trip".  While in Greenland, we took our photo with the aurora borealis:

Loop

The silence in the social worker's office was deafening that day.
DCF workers had come to let us know...
What we had always known,
That the girls weren't being cared for.

I remember sobbing later.
And then pulling myself together.
My husband and I gathered clothes and toiletries and the Social Worker delivered them.
I remember thanking God I had Miss A in my room for 2 years.

That I knew her well enough to say I LOVE YOU.
And if you ever need anything, I am here.
And she would know it wasn't just words, but true, deep love.

That's what looping is.
It is security in even the most uncertain of places.
It's a hug before you know you need one.

I started the 3rd to 4th grade loop three years ago.
And it has radically changed my world, my teaching, and the very foundation of my "family".

While the reasons we love looping are numerous...I can sum them up in three really simple ways:

1. We are a family
Our classrooms, across the US are full of trauma survivors.  
100% of the students in my class are either currently in trauma situations or have survived them.  
All of them.  
I have to know their trauma if I want to begin to see them, support them, and love them.  

Over the course of 2 years, I get to know them, AND their families.
I see places to support.
To call home.
To cheer lead.
I catch the anger before it interrupts their learning.
I remind them daily, for two years that nothing they will ever do will stop me from loving them.
That our space is safe.
That they are safe.
That our community is safe.

It changes the way they feel.
About themselves.
About school.
And about their ability to do school.

They love.
They bond.
And we build a foundation and connection that tethers us for a lifetime.
For 2 years.

2. Deeper Academic Understanding
You know the sage advice that we need to teach them deeper, not farther.
I love that.
And it's one of the best parts of looping.
Know what they've learned.
How they learned it.
Gives you better direction on how to move them forward.

To go deeper.
We introduce multiplication in 3rd, but we really go deep with it in 4th.
I know where we were and I know where we are going.
I also have 3rd graders learning on a 5th grade level.
I will continue to push.
And next year, I hope they are working on a 6th grade level.

I am not complacent either.
The best teachers are not.
I'm not worried about what will be easier for planning.
Or make less work for me.
Or god forbid, having to learn a new curriculum (insert rant about what your job as an educator actually is and how so many of you have become complacent with easy..aka...not a lot of work...aka...lazy.)

These are all things that make us better.
That make our kids better.
Learning with them excites them.
Makes them vested.

3. It takes a village

And when that village has 2 years to work together, it's magic.
Families become vested.
Community workers become vested.
I know social workers and liaisons in a way I can't possibly in one year.

I know after school workers and they know the kid I need them to really support.
I can play to strengths and allocate extra time to weaknesses.

No one teacher can learn all the ways these connections are made in one year. 
For 18 students.
But in 2 years, it's not only possible, but the village almost wills it to happen.

...

It will be important to note that a child does not have to loop with us. 
Last year, I had one opt out, and honestly, if she hadn't, I would have asked for her to be moved.
We were not a good fit.
And that's fine.

Three more kids opted in that hadn't been with us in 3rd and joined us for 4th.
They fit like fingers in a glove.
They were immediate family.
And since I knew everyone else, I made a strong effort to catch up with their family and community aid. 

I don't consider myself a "bad teacher", as some who argues against looping worry about, but I have a style that might not work for all.

Recognizing that in and of itself makes me want to branch out and provide a variety of learning opportunities for my entire class.

...

Like pebbles in a stream, polishing one another, we take time to become the best versions of ourselves.

2 years.

To change.

To grow.

Flex

When I first started teaching,
I had nothing.
I barely had enough desks.
Or chairs.

I worked in a public school.
But I supplied...everything.

I now work for the Disney World of Elementary Schools.
Ask and we can probably get.
I posted several projects on DonorsChoose.org

And this year, we really launched flex seating.
Since I loop with 3rd and 4th graders,
spending two years together,
I purposefully change the room a lot.

This year is third, and they have low options, kneeling, stools, buddy bands, balls, and standing desks.
Next year, during 4th, I have enough yoga balls for everyone to have one.
It's less flexible, but more gearing up for 5th grade.

This year, I introduced all seats at one time, along with our flexible seating poster.
Here's the gist:

1.) We choose a new seat each Monday.  You have to be here to switch.  You will have that seat for the week.
2.) Choose a seat that will allow you and your table mates optimal (your best) learning.
3.) If you choose a yoga ball, no bouncing during direction instruction, and two feet on the floor at all times.  (One reminder, 2nd reminder, you get a chair for the week).
4.) Ms. Witherell and Miss W reserve the right to move any students, at any time, for any reason.

Pretty basic, but it's been great.

I like not switching for every lesson, as some classrooms do, since we have several specials each day that would be switching without me in the room.

Each student has a supply cup stored on the far side of the room and they pick up their cup and Wallet/Checkbook each morning.

This allows them to have their home base at their desk, but also work with clipboards on the three separate rug areas or at my table.

The love it.
I love it.

Yoga

Yes.
Yoga.

We do lot of Whole Brain Teaching inside the walls of 115.

But we also.
LIVE.
YOGA.

I started using Cosmic Kids videos a few years ago.
I believe I searched: Kids and Yoga Videos.

I now pay $5 a MONTH for add free Yoga - It's totally the BEST GIFT I can buy my students!

And Jaime from Cosmic Kids greeted me with something better than my wildest fantasies.

First - It's Yoga.
The benefits of Yoga in the life of a child are heavily researched and applauded.
It helps with EVERYTHING.
Focus.
Body Control.
Temperament.
Direction following.
Social and Peer Relationships.
Physical Health.
And the list goes ON.

Second - It's Jaime and Martin.
Dude...The Amor family are...what's the word?
The most compassionate, kind, giving, and truly "calling found".
A husband and wife duo who really teach our children in a way, in a voice, that is so kind.
So loving.
So light shining.
What they create together is magic.
Jaime in front of the camera and Martin working side by side.
#Teamwork
#Husbandwifegoals

Third - It's something everyone can do.
Sometimes, when I thought of Yoga before, I'd think, I can't do that.
I can't show my kids something I can't do.
I can't lead them.
Blindly, I now know I can.
They love the days I lead.
BUT.
What got me to that point?
Jaime.
The Yoga Adventures are doable for all level of learners.
Some may even argue that 3rd and 4th graders don't want to.
Or it's too young.
I assure you, I did every video with my 3rd and 4th graders and they love it.
If they don't want to participate - they can sit or lay on their yoga mats.
Most days- everyone is participating.

Finally - It has changed the way we practice mindfulness and yoga in my room.
We are an extended learning time (ELT) School.
We start at 7:50am in the morning, and go until almost 4pm.
They have a 15 minute lunch.
A 15 minute recess.
And 2, 45 minute blocks, of specials (Music, Art, PE, Drumming, Tech, Hulahooping, etc.)
And it also means LOOONG blocks of learning.
We use mindful practices during our morning meeting, but I was looking for something for the afternoon.

Now?
It's a routine.
They line up from lunch, walk down the hall, take out a mat, go to their spot.
And sit.
They calm their bodies.
They Namaste when Jaime Namastes.
And they understand this time is sacred in our room.

Parents understand it's sacred.
There are days I send an email home if we MISS yoga, because I KNOW.
It will change the kids.

I feel any day we miss yoga in my core.

At the end of every day in our room we do Grateful Group.
Also known as High, Low, Pass.
Kids can share their highs from the day and people they appreciate.

Without fail.
WithOUT fail.
My kids are always grateful for their 20 minutes of yoga.
And.
SO.
AM.
I.

Have you tried yoga?
Do you use Cosmic Kids?
What works?
What doesn't?
Tips and Tricks?
Share, friends, share! :)

Rules

In an earlier post, we talked about Responsive Class.
And their foundational class rules,

Are rules we make as a class.
The students are dialoguing and really coming up with,
Essentially what makes a safe learning space.
Using apositive phrasing and collaboration is great.

Coming up with rules together is great.
Class compacts are great.

Except.
When they are not.
When kids are coming and going.
And arriving at noon on Tuesday and having to be assimilated into our family.

Then it's like: Hey, we've been a great community,
and now things are changing.

Instead, my littles doing their brainstorming,
come up with brilliant ideas,
and then sort them under the 5 Whole Brain Teaching Rules.

Do they all fit somewhere - boy howdy, do they ever.

Rule #1 Follow Directions Quickly

Rule #2 Raise Your Hand For Permission To Speak

Rule #3 Raise Your Hand For Permission To Leave Your Seat

Rule #4 Make Smart Choices

Rules #5 Keep Your DEAR Teachers Happy

*There is also the Diamond Rule - but I'll let you visit the WBT page to learn more about that.

Each rule has a quick gesture.
We review the rules and gestures at each morning meeting and again after Yoga.
After the first week, the morning meeting leader (a student), will run the rule review.
The class mirrors that student.

The true bang for my buck is after they own them.
I can hold up two fingers and they know, rule #2.
When I'm working with a student and they get up to wait in line behind them, rule #3.

When I asked you to line up and it takes too long - rules #1.
And Rule #5 is my unbreakable - like the one that just hurts my heart.
If we're talking #5, someone is not being safe for themselves or others, since that's the only thing that makes me truly unhappy.

Link to the Whole Brain Teaching:
5 Classroom Rules

Link the Whole Brain Teaching Classroom Rules Posters in our Room:
WBT Rules

Attention

I started small.
Simple.

Something I could chew on.
And find effective.

Class, Yes.
Is where we began.

It's a simple concept.
I mean.
Like.
SIMP.
LE

And yet.
More powerful.
Than even I imagined.

Class, Yes.
Is the beginning.


Everytime I say, "Class,"
The class responds, "Yes"

Exactly how I said Class.

So Class, class.
Responds Yes, yes.

Classity Class
Yessity Yes.

They can be in the middle of some LOUD learning.
Some teach okaying.
Some good stuff.

And in the middle of all of that.
They switch on their brain, their ears, and listen.
With how to respond.

Then I activate them with their response.
And we continue learning.

The best part of the strategy is it works with...
EVERY.
ONE.

New Kids.
Old Kids.
ELL Kids.
LD Kids.

EVERYONE.

Here's the link back to Class/Yes on the Whole Brain Teaching Website:
Attention Getter

And, one of my favorite free resources from TPT:
Attention Getter By: Ilbra Israel

The Why

I truly have love, love, loved Whole Brain Teaching.
Ever since it first popped up in a late night search after my very first week of teaching.
10 years ago.

I knew I was failing my kids.
I knew the system was failing them.

I was 22, fresh out of my masters program, and I wanted to make a difference.

Most days...
30 students in my 3rd grade classroom,
At the grittiest urban elementary school and I did our best to...
Stay afloat.

I struggled to see their shine.
Underneath the poverty.

Underneath the gang violence.
Drugs.
Alcohol.
The neglect.
The sadness.
And perhaps most of all the expectation that these things are...
acceptable.

Like children could learn under these conditions.

As a Level 1 RC Trainer Responsive Classroom teacher...
I can attest that Responsive Classroom is wonderful.

Morning Meeting.
Calendar.
Share.
Etc.

What it doesn't have the ability to do, is reach an ever changing population.
I had students coming and going every week.
Every day practically.

When the rules from Whole Brain Teaching popped up on my screen.
Something inside me...shifted.

Not my class, but one of the videos that got me thinking - this could be the game changer.

After introducing the rules, I started to see the shine in my kids.
The love of learning.
And beginning to feel like school was a safe place.

I greatly anticipate the ability to share my work with my current students in my 3rd and 4th grade looping class.

The Beginning

I truly.

Never believed.

I'd be here.

Posting on a WBT blog.
About WBT.

And now that I'm here.
I just want to sing out for joy.