Recently, I returned from an incredible Whole Brain Teaching Conference hosted by the wonderful people in White Plains, MO. Not only did I have the opportunity as an intern to meet others in the same position as well as the creators, but as a teacher my skill and confidence in using WBT with my students was enhanced as well!
I also learned a great deal of new information which will be enthusiastically used beginning the very first day of school! One of the best elements of this conference for me was learning about the "Five Step Lesson Plan." The format is to begin the lesson with a question, then provide the answer, expand the answer with gestures, check for comprehension and end with a critical thinking skill. So simple yet so powerful! Every one of my lessons from now on will be presented in this format.
A second really powerful tool I learned while at the conference was the use of "Help Me" if a student is struggling to find an answer. The struggling student can ask his/her peers for help and they will use "Mirror" and gestures to help get the question answered. I like this idea for team as well as confidence building and it will become a common feature in my classroom this next school year.
If at all possible, I would strongly encourage everyone interested in WBT to attend one of these fascinating conferences. Check wholebrainteaching.com regularly for information on upcoming conferences.
Call me crazy, but I cannot wait until school starts!
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