First Day!

We did it!  We made it through the first day.  I was able to get through all five rules, Teach - Okay, mirror, Class - Yes, and the scoreboard.  It was by far the best first day I have ever had.  Did I mention how amazing my 25 new kiddos are?  They are great!  They are so inquisitive, kind, smart, and thrilled about fifth grade.  I was even able to get through all the the above with two of my writing classes.  I have never seen a class get so excited about rules.  I had them begging for me to tell them Rule 4 and 5.

I haven't used the Super Improvers Wall yet.  After watching a live webcast with Coach B, one viewer suggested that you wait until they beg you for it.  This way they are more excited about it.  I had four of five students ask a couple times what the Super Improver Wall was.  I simply replied, "You haven't begged enough yet to start it."  They would smile and continue on with their work.  I can't wait to see the excitement on their face when we actually start using it.

Great start to a great year!

One Week and Counting!

In one week from today, I will have 25 new kiddos.  I have never been more excited to start a new school year than this year.  I can not wait to start using the Whole Brain Teaching techniques in real life.  As Coach B predicted, I've been rehearsing to fake students in my room.  I even try to practice with my one year old.  I find myself a little disappointed that when I clap twice and he doesn't follow suit.

Because I am so excited about WBT, I have been trying to get the other teachers involved with no luck.  This time of the year is jam-packed and it seems as though everyone is trying to get everything just perfect before the first day.  However, after talking about the Super Improvers Wall, I can proudly say that two other teachers are adding it to their classroom!  Of course I sent them the links to the webcasts and free eBooks!

Speaking of the Super Improvers Wall, I finally finished mine and I have to say that it is a beauty!  I even purchased pockets that stick the to wall so that I am easily able to change the color of the students' names.  I then laminated hundreds of stars and added magnets to the back so they can stay on my white board.  I uploaded a photo so you all can see my example.

Finally, I finished my Ultimate Homework Model homework log.  I created this for my fifth grade students to staple into their agendas.  The school policy will not allow me to get rid of agendas so I have to use both.  However, I am very excited to see the hands shoot up when I ask for volunteers to do two or three start homework.  If you would like a copy, click here and download it from my Teachers Pay Teachers store.  In true WBT fashion, it is free!

I have a feeling this is going to be the best year yet!  Now off to cramp and watch some more webcast of Coach B!

Have a great start of the year!

Always,
Cassie

The Race Begins

After taking a week's vacation up North, I jumped back into planning for this school year. I spent four hours this morning at an RTI workshop and then bolted to my classroom to work on some organization and WBT boards. The second picture is my very scary "before" picture. Everything was piled in the center and stuffed into small boxes.

After a couple hours, I put up my word wall, my CAFE board, the beginning of my Super Improvers Wall, and my class data board. I'm not sure how I will use my class data board because it will be driven by the students' interests. I hope to incorporate the Super Speed games somehow. There will be more to come as I put the pieces together.

As each day passes, I'm more excited than ever to start WBT. However, I still have a lot to do: finish the SIW, create my genius ladder, get the rules up and posted, and watch more webcasts (my new obsession). I can feel it, this is going to be a great year!

Once upon a time...

There once lived a very dedicated teacher.  She spent hours planning lessons and creating beautiful posters to display in her class.  But one day she realized all these pretty details and beautiful bound books were not enough.  So she searched through all the land to find an answer.  Just as she thought she would never find a solution, she met, virtually speaking, Coach B and all his associates.  Wholebrainteaching.com was the answer she was looking for.  So she spent all her summer hours watching webcasts and reading eBooks while her little prince slept.  Will there be a happily ever after?  She will soon find out!

All fairy tales aside, I am so thrilled to be on the road to certification as a Whole Brain Teacher.  I have learned so much and am so thrilled to be a part of the Revolution.  After watching Coach B's live broadcast about Week One Goals, I am even more on board to implementing every component of WBT.  I put my Super Improvers Wall up today and created an Excel document for my weekly student assessment.  If you would like a copy, click here to get it from my TPT store (something I am also trying to experiment with).

There will be many more posts and many pictures to come.  It is going to be an adventure and I can not wait!

Make it a great day,

Cassie