Running head: CLASS MANAGEMENT

Problem Prevention Plan Terry Gallivan Liberty University EDUC 500 B26 February 3, 2012

CLASS MANAGEMENT Problem Prevention Plan I was introduced to Whole Brain Teaching a couple of years ago. I was curious about this and found a forum for sharing ideas, here: http://forums.atozteacherstuff.com/forumdisplay.php?f=114 and more definitions and discussions, here: http://www.funderstanding.com/v2/curriculum/whole-brain-teaching/ This is great stuff. Thank you! It is the most exciting, effective classroom management strategy I have been exposed to since I started teaching. I am a high energy teacher who teaches high energy or disciplinary problems students. I will be giving a brief overview of how Whole Brain Teaching works in my classroom. The class from the onset must be controlled by the teacher; not the students. The first concept to be taught is Class Yes technique. It is best to rehearse the script as given on the website as referenced below or create a similar script for your personality. I am going to use this! Teacher: When I say Class!, you say Yes! Class! Students: Yes! Teacher: However I say Class!, you say Yes! Students: Yes! Yes! Teacher: (Using a low voice) Claaaasss! Students: (Mimicking the teachers low voice) Yesssss! Teacher: (Using a high voice) Classssss! Students: (Mimicking the teachers high voice) Yesssss! Teacher: Classity, class! Class! Class!

CLASS MANAGEMENT Students: Yessity, yes! The students love mimicking the teacher; especially if you add clapping or other hand gestures.

The purpose of Class Yes is to get the attention of the students. After they say their response you become the center of attention. Repetition is the key for success. Yes. On day one the rules are introduced to the students and repeated each day for the first week. The five simple rules are: 1. Follow directions quickly 2. Raise your hand to speak 3. Raise your hand to leave your seat if my students need to get a pencil, use the sharpener, or even go to the restroom. They tell them this is a real-world class. If you need something raise your hand, show the appropriate gesture, then do what you need to do. I have found there a less disruptions in the class activities. See the information in the next section for more details. 4. Make smart choices 5. Keep your dear teacher happy I love number 5! The students are introduced to the rules and will need to practice the rules by memorizing them unknowingly. The follow is a sample script but I suggest placing your personality spin on it. Teacher: Class! Students: Yes! Teacher: (Pointing at the board.) Were now going to review our classroom rules. Please repeat after me and make my gestures. Rule 1: Follow directions quickly! (She raises one finger; then, moves this hand rapidly through the air.)

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A few students: (weakly, some will mimic the gesture.) Rule 1: Follow directions quickly! Teacher: (Smiling, but firmly) please repeat after me and make my gestures. Rule 1: Follow directions quickly! (She raises one finger; then, moves this hand rapidly through the air.) Students: (more energy, mimicking her gesture) Rule 1: Follow directions quickly! Teacher: (Smiling) Thats fine for a start. Rule 2: Raise your hand for permission to speak! (She raises two fingers in the air; then, bringing thumb and four fingers together she makes her hand talk.) Students: (Laughing, mimicking her gesture) Rule 2: Raise your hand for permission to speak! Teacher: (Smiling) Good! Rule 3! Raise your hand for permission to leave your seat! I upgraded rule 3 for my classroom. I teach real-world application in my classroom. This means if you have a job you do not ask the boss to go to the restroom, to sharpen your pencil, or get supplies; therefore, if you are responsible with your smart choices you have this special privilege. You raise your pencil if it needs to be sharpen, if you need supplies point to your backpack, if you need to go to the restroom use the sign language sign for restroom. Students: (Laughing, mimicking her gesture) Rule 3: Raise your hand for permission to leave your seat! Raise your pencil! Point to your backpack! Show the restroom sign! (Students show the signs for leaving their seats.)

CLASS MANAGEMENT Teacher: (Smiling) Good job! Rule 4! Make smart choices! (She raises four fingers in the air; then, she taps her temple with one finger four times.) Students: (Laughing, mimicking her gesture) Rule 4: Make smart choices! Teacher: Rule 5! (She raises five fingers in the air; she raises her fingers toward her mouth, bobs her head from one side to the other, makes a smiley gesture and grins merrily.) Students: (Laughing energetically, mimicking her gesture) Rule 5: Keep your dear teacher happy! I take a vote on the rules. The majority always vote yes therefore the rules are always implemented. I introduce other concepts as the students master each concept. Before commencing

Whole Brain Teaching my classes at times were literally a nightmare. Since implementing the program I love how my students and I related on class management. Life is great! Please visit the Whole Brain Teaching website to find joy, peace and love in your classroom. When you get to the website simply click eBooks, download Whole Brain Teaching for Challenging Students. You can watch Whole Brain Teaching videos on youtube.com for more information on how things work. I found many! I have to watch them at home, since my organization has deemed Youtube unsuitable here. Thank you for the wonderful new ideas.

CLASS MANAGEMENT References Whole Brain Teaching (2012). Whole Brain Teaching. Retrieved February 3, 2012, from http://wholebrainteaching.com/

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