Back to school

Well, I'm back in my room today trying to get things ready for the new school year.  I can't believe it's already time to get back to it.  I'm in a new classroom this year, so I'm trying to find new places to put things.  I've found new homes for my PowerPix walls, my Class leaders wall, my Genius Paragraph, my Super Improver Wall, my Scoreboard, and my rules.  I'm getting there.  I'll have to post some pictures when I bring my camera in.  It's coming along.  I just wish it were coming along more quickly. 

As I get more accomplished, I'll be posting more.  I'm going to be enjoying my last few weeks with my little guys! 

Thanks,
Staci

Summer's here and just as busy!

I returned from my maternity leave five and a half weeks after having my 3rd baby boy.  It really went by way too quickly, but with the state testing coming up and pay being docked, it was time to get back to school.  I actually returned a week before our testing began, which gave me a little time to get us back on track with behavior and a few last minute reviews.  I was thankful to find that my second sub had been utilizing some Whole Brain Teaching techniques with my class.  She found the Super Improver Wall to be a huge help in controlling behavior. 

My kiddos were still able to review concepts that I had taught them by utilizing their Whole Brain Teaching gestures, so that gave me hope as I returned to the classroom.  I am anxious to see our test results as we also used Prove It the entire year.  My kids were really excited about Prove It during the year, and I feel like they had a good foundation to use on their testing from the exposure throughout the year. 

The last couple weeks of the year flew by with our track and field day, talent shows, yearbook assembly, and so much more.  The behavior of my kiddos really stayed on track though thanks in large part to Whole Brain Teaching.  They were excited to continue to earn stars on the Super Improver Wall and ultimately get to take their Super Improver cards with them.  I'm excited about getting back into my classroom and getting my Super Improver Wall set up for this year.  I think this was the biggest thing that worked in my classroom this past year.  They knew that it was based solely on their improvement and nobody else's.  That says it all!

This past week, I attended a 2-day conference in my hometown with Coach B!  What a fantastic two days!  Even though this was my 6th Whole Brain Teaching Conference, I still took away lots of new and fun things to do in my classroom this next year.  I loved the "grabber" that Coach B presented as well as the Problem Solver, Magic Mirrors, D.V.R., and so much more.  I will be posting more about this conference next time.

My colleague, Susan Floyd, and I will be presenting 6 mini conferences during the 2012-2013 school year in our area, so be watching the forum and calendar for those dates on the Whole Brain Teaching website.  We're really excited about getting more teachers on board with Whole Brain Teaching.

Thanks,
Staci

Way too long!!!!

I didn't realize that it had been so long since I posted on my blog.  Wow, how time has gotten away from me.  We're obviously back from the holiday breaks, and haven't had much bad weather, so I feel like we're getting things accomplished in my classroom.  However, now I'm getting ready to go out on maternity leave...right before our state testing, and I'm a little bit apprehensive.  I feel like my kiddos should be prepared since we've been working with Whole Brain Teaching all year long, the genius paragraph, Prove It, and much more!  They seem to be retaining information, because I can ask a question about something that we talked about during the 1st week of school and they come back with the gesture!  I hope to be returning right before MAP testing.  I guess my biggest concern is their behavior with me being gone right before MAP testing.  I've actually had subs this year when I've been gone to meetings that do not want to return to my classroom.  The class and I seem to have an understanding and we get things accomplished, but I think that is in large part to Whole Brain Teaching.  My subs don't always come in knowing much about it, and it looks like I'll actually have two different ones while I'm out, and I'm only taking 6 weeks!!!!!  Keep me, my class, and my sub in your prayers!!!!!

Thanks,
Staci