Taking a Step Back - Getting Students to Listen

This week I implemented the Whole Brain Strategies for Teaching:
We have done:
1.  "Class, Class";  "Yes, Yes" response calls.
2.    Rule # 1. Follow Directions;
       Rule # 2. Raise Your Hand for Permission to Speak;
       Rule # 3. Raise Your Hand for Permission to Leave Your Seat.
3.  "Clap, Clap, Teach"; "Clap Clap O.K.!"
4.  "Swivel in Your Seat using Your Hot Wheels" (to see the speaker)
5.   Mirrors without Words
6.   Mirrors with Words
7.   Smiley Face and Frownie Face

What I find is that it will take several weeks to perfect, however, the class as a whole caught on quickly, and I spend less time disciplining.

I also find that singing participation songs to help with transitions are very calming and help to gain the attention of the students much more quickly than waiting for students to get to their seats by counting backward.

After meeting with the Speech and Language Pathologist, there is a clear need to establish LISTENING as our goal before we can proceed to emergent Reading Behaviors and Lessons.  Whole Brain Teaching utilizes the Cortex of the brain which engage Motor, Language and Emotional therefore tapping into the ability to retain information.
Also, the LANGUAGE Skills of the Class are requiring much intervention before we can begin to talk about "beginning" ," middle", and "last" sounds.  So I have implemented a guided small group intervention plan of 8 weeks to be sure that these necessary language skills are addressing for emergent reading to begin.
Finally, the PHONEMIC awareness area is a big concern.  That is, the ability to hear sounds without pictures or text.  Recognizing rhyme;  Attending to first sounds to recognize if they are alike, Segmenting sentences: "The dog is black". Each word is clapped and repeated: "The - dog - is - black".  As well as syllable segmentation: Each word is clapped and repeated: "telephone" -  "tel-e-phone".
Basically, PHONEMIC AWARENESS can be done in the dark, and is the precursor to PHONICS - Sound- Letter Association.

As my colleagues put it, I have my work cut out for me!

Our Class

Kali

Leah

                                       

                                                                           Riley

                                           
                                                                          Tanner
                                                                                                                 
                                                                       Madison

                                                                              Aliya
                                     

                                                                        Frederick

                                                                       Tabyn

                                                                         Lyndell

                                                                    Cheveyo

                                                                        Mundon

                                                                         Kaiden

                                                                      Karehl

                                                                           L.J.

Aiva

                                                                           Paris

                                                                          Donnie

Reflections of a Teacher

After 2 weeks of school I'm beginning to feel things are looking and sounding like a classroom.  As I listen to the buzz of 17 students working, I realize there is plenty of EVIDENCE of our success, in creating an atmosphere of learning:

1.  In Math we learned about extending patterns ABCC, forming single digit numbers and representing teen numbers.

2.  We set Goals to build stamina so we can become better listeners and readers.

3.  We practiced Whisper Reading with a Partner after a Shared Reading of The Bugs Go Marching.

4.  We practiced routines and rules, not withstanding some testy moments. (especially staying on our desks).

5.  We worked each day, building fluency to read CVC words.

6.  We learned about Stretchy Snake to help us stretch out our sounds and blend to read words.

7.  We used our Eagle Eyes to see similar words in print.

8.  We took our first bus trip to our Cross Country race.

9.  We said Daily Prayers for God's blessings and care as we return to and from school each day.

10. We learned about being respectful and engaged during assemblies like our Opening Mass and Pep Rally.

Mundon and Kaiden

Paris and Madison

Karehl and Riley

Frederick and Donnie

L.J. and Aliya

Cheveyo and Tanner

Leah and Kalie

Pep Rally for Cross Country Race

Cross Country Day

Reading Corner