Wow! This week has been tiring. And although I've had lots to write about, I haven't had the energy!!! Ay caramba.
Anyway, I want to talk to you about something that is a bit silly slash embarassing.
Whenever first year teachers ask me about advice that I have for them, I ALWAYS say, "You need to have an attention-getting strategy!" I have said it a hundred times. I have even added that I didn't have one last year and that is part of the reason that I didn't feel confident about my classroom management skills.
I went into this year with my attention-getting strategy in mind - I wanted to do the Class/Yes from Whole Brain Teaching. I haven't bought into the whole WBT situation but I felt like this was a pretty standard thing to try out.
So I went in on the first day, taught the Class/Yes thing to my class................ and then didn't use it for the next 3 days. I felt really self-conscious about it for some reason, even though I teach 6 year olds!!
On Thursday afternoon, day 3 of school, I was already just as frustrated as I was last year. I hate the feeling of standing in front of the class and just hoping that they'll stop talking. Or talking over them and then no one hears you whatsoever.
So I decided - on Friday, I was doing it! I was going to Class/Yes all day long! There was no stopping me!
So I did it. And it was AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMAZING. I never had a hush fall over the crowd like I did on Friday. Go me go!
It made our Friday schoolwork SO much more pleasant and wonderful!
For example, we made our first math quilt!
I absolutely loved making these last year, but my love for them increased 1000% when I had everyone's attention to teach the folds and cuts! My second graders (who made these last year - but starting in December) were trying to do the fancier folds and cuts that come later in the year so I had to stop them, haha!
We also did a super fun estimation activity with oatmeal squares!
Yum!
A side note - one of my friends came out from New York this weekend and we did lots of touristy things in the city! It was a beautiful day yesterday and I had so much fun!
What attention-getting strategy (or strategies) do you use? If you need some ideas, there are a bunch of options here!
Those transitions on that link look fun! I printed out a set for tomorrow!!! Thanks for the quilt shout out! I need to prep that! August will be over before I can even learn their names! I may just start with September! Take Care!
ReplyDeleteReagan
Oh my gosh, I think you read my mind. I too haven't really bought in to doing WBT all the way but wanted to try class/yes. But I've been feeling self conscious about it for some reason. I basically just clapped a pattern last year and had the kids repeat after me, but they started clapping and continuing to talk :-/
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to hear that class/yes worked for you! Your not using the scoreboard though right? I read that class/yes is successful because of the scoreboard because if they don't say it back you get a point. Do you use a different system or do they just buy in because its fun?
Adventures in Room 5
I love wbt. This is my first year to fully implement all aspects. I started last year with class yes. Here is a freebie with some other options.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Attention-Getters-Grabbers-and-More
I use the Class-Yes with my 4th graders as well as Hands and Eyes! It does really work! They also love when they get a 10 finger whoo!
ReplyDeleteI just started using a rainstick to get the kiddos attention. Although I'm still working on the whole knowing where it is at all time aspect, it works like a charm when I know where it is! I'm glad to hear Class/Yes worked for you without all of the whole brain teaching because I'd love to start incorporating aspects slowly!
ReplyDelete-Dani
A Place to Thrive
I sometimes think people walking by my room might think I'm a bit hokey, but WBT works like a charm!!
ReplyDeleteElizabeth
Hooray! I love Class-Yes. Although, I have to remember to jazz it up throughout the year or my 4th graders get bored. We just started today and we were Class-Yessing all day long. I still use a bell and count down occasionally when I want to give them some time to come together and I use the quiet hand...ya know, when you hold your hand up and kids see you and do the same until everyone is quiet. I like mixing all three depending on the activity but Class-Yes is my go-to. So happy it worked out for you!!
ReplyDeleteAmanda
The Teaching Thief
I did this totally fun but thoroughly embarrassing attention getter last year with my firsties. I had to sing it, to the tune of "dynomite", no less. It went like this:
ReplyDelete"i put my hand up in the air sometimes,
I stop walking, I stop talking.
Mrs. Mathews wants to see my five,
So I stop walking, I stop talking."
I dont know if I'll be singing it to my fourth graders this year, though!
Heather
Peacocksandpenguins.blogspot.com