100% Engagement with Whole Brain Teaching (Virtually)

 What is the burning question for educators in 2020 and beyond?  Easy…HOW DO WE KEEP OUR STUDENTS ENGAGED DURING DISTANCE LEARNING?  There are a multitude of virtual platforms we can use to engage our students:  Nearpod, Peardeck, Padlet, FlipGrid, Jamboard…the list goes on and on.  These platforms are phenomenal and I would have a hard time teaching successfully during distance learning without them, they engage our students and allow for a degree of collaboration.

 BUT, if you’re looking for 100% engagement while supporting your students’ social-emotional growth, I have the answer for you…WHOLE BRAIN TEACHING!

“Tell me and I forget, Teach me and I remember, Involve me and I learn”  Benjamin Franklin

Whole Brain Teaching is based on neuroscience research indicating that learning is not one-dimensional.  Whole Brain Teaching engages multiple areas of the brain while allowing students to engage in active and authentic learning experiences, while activating prior knowledge and integrating new information.  By incorporating hearing, seeing, speaking, moving and reasoning students can create memories stored throughout the brain instead of just one area.

Enough about all the research, does it work?  YES, IT WORKS!  How do I know?  Because I use it, every day! My students are all participating, regardless of their learning style, learning ability, or background.  This learning empowers the students, they feel successful and they are motivated.  I looped this year with my kiddos (meaning I moved up with them from 1^st to 2^nd grade).  I have seen amazing growth and retention of concepts previously taught with whole brain teaching techniques from first grade.  I have been able to take my students into a deeper understanding of concepts because they have retained the basic skills taught to them last year.  I have even witnessed my students using the phrases, gestures and movements to walk themselves through questions while taking online assessments. 

So, are you ready to try it out in a very simple fashion? Here’s how to implement the Whole Brain Teaching Basics during VIRTUAL LEARNING:

1.  Attention Getters, or Class Calls:  Whole Brain teaching uses the call “Class-Yes” with adorable variations such as “Classity Class-Yessity Yes.”  In these examples, a teacher says the first part, such as “Class” and students respond chorally with the second part such as “Yes” and immediately put their eyes and ears on the teacher.  I use these, but I also use a variety of other Class Calls that get my students attention based on what we are learning.  I use “Choose-Love” and they give me the “heart” sign with their hands, “Are you ready?-Yes We Are!,” “Spotlight, spotlight-Shine, Shine, Shine!”  Pick the ones you love and that work for you, the bottom line is if you don’t have their attention, they’re not learning.  They need to know that when you call the, they stop what they are doing, unmute and respond with their call, have “EYES AND EARS” on you and  “Frame Up,” which means their faces should be in the frame of their square on Zoom.  Once they unmute to respond, they immediately go back on mute and they are all immediately paying attention.

 

2.  Brain Engager, Mirror Words: This is when you are using the gestures to engage your students’ motor cortex and visual cortex of their brains, amplifying their learning.  The teacher says, “Mirrors On” or "Mirror Words" and puts his or her hands up, the students mimic the teacher.  The teacher then creates hand and body gestures to go with the concept or key learning. The students mimic each set of gestures and words.  Do what makes sense to you, and what you can remember from time to time (because if you forget, your students will most definitely call you out).  Each set of words should have a gesture.  Be silly, be creative, the kids will love it…and remember it!  At this time, the kids should be muted because they all need to hear you and practice the movements.  When finished, the teachers says “Mirrors Off” and puts his or her hands down and the students mimic this as well.  I have found this must be repeated a few more times than if we were in person.  After all, we are in a virtual world.

 

3.  Direction Instruction, Lesson Chunks:  This is important!  You are teaching or presenting one new point at a time while using Mirror Words.  You chunk the lesson so it is not overwhelming and so the students can remember the key points.  The idea is that the more you talk, the more kids you lose, ESPECIALLY ONLINE!  Mirror Words should no more than one minute long for the students to be able to retain the information. This is the direct instruction part of your whole brain teaching where you are actually teacging parts of a concept.  The chunks online need to be hand motions the students can see, I often practice in Zoom before the students come on to make sure my hand motions are in the screen and can be easily seen.

 

4.   Collaborative Learning, Teach-Okay:  Now it’s your students turn to be the teachers, and they will LOVE to do this, they cannot wait!  You are activating your students’ Broca area of the brain as they teach others, Wernicke area when they are listening to their partner, and Limbic system when they feel success and happiness with learning.  You clap your hands twice and say “Teach” they clap their hands twice and say “Okay.”  In the virtual world, they can turn to an imaginary partner, a stuffed animal, a sibling, or my favorite, a partner from the class that they see on the screen.  They then “teach” the same quick lesson you just taught with a lesson chuck during Mirror Words, gaining confidence as they proceed.  In person, they will learn to take turns “teaching” but virtually, since we are all muted, they will continue to teach until you call the students back to attention. You can choose to have one child unmute and be the “teacher leader” at this point, guiding the class through Mirror Words and Teaching the lesson. 

 

5.  Internalization:   How can you tell if they’ve internalized it?  They will begin paraphrasing the lesson, putting it into their own words or adding their own gestures.  This is great, encourage this!  To do this, put them in a quick breakout room with 1 other partner.  My students are assigned a number and letter (think Kagan), so I will quickly tell them which letter goes first.  I put them in a breakout room, and they take turns “teaching” each other the concept.  This is how I can simulate partners as if we were in class.  I pop into breakout rooms to monitor and help as needed.  When we return, I will always point out creative ideas, add-ons, or new synonyms used to make the learning their own. 

Here is a quick video of my students virtually using Mirror Words, Chunking, and Teaching-Okay with an Attention Getter at the end.  

That’s it!  It’s not hard, but the benefits are enormous!  The whole process doesn’t take very long.  Students at all grade levels enjoy this.  They can take ownership of their learning and they can feel successful.  Watch my spotlight videos for tricks and tips on how to incorporate Whole Brain Teaching into virtual learning in order to get 100% engagement!

 

Teaching with my WHOLE BRAIN,

Roni Weink

Distance Learning Brain Breaks

Let's not forget about Brain Breaks!

Unfortunately, due to this pandemic, we have to do some different and unconventional things like close our classrooms and teach students from our homes. Social distancing is necessary to stop the spread of the virus, but it creates some unique situations for teachers, students, and parents. As teachers, we've been taught that students need to get up and move numerous times a day to be successful learners. As a society, we've been told that a child shouldn't sit in front of a screen for long periods of time. But due to the pandemic, many students need to log in and participate in online learning daily. As all of us are experiencing, we are sitting in chairs for long periods every day. This is especially difficult for kids to do. Their little bodies weren't meant to sit still that long-they NEED to move.  There is an easy solution for students to get the movement they need while participating in online learning.  Brain Breaks!

Activity brain breaks serve an important purpose in and OUT of the classroom. As we know, school is hard work for kids. As teachers, we expect students to cram so much into each day, learning a ton of information that they need to retain and put into practice. It can be exhausting. In our classrooms, Brain Breaks allow kids to take a minute to refocus and release some energy. Distance Learning is no different. Students need active time incorporated into Distance Learning too. Kids need opportunities to have movement throughout their day while they are participating in at-home learning.  

What is a Brain Break?

Brain Breaks are breaks from whatever students are currently working on... but something to remember is the break can be both fun and educational. Also, Brain Breaks can be simple or more complex. Moving around, even if it's just stretching, gives the body a boost by increasing blood flow. In turn, this provides the brain with increased blood flow, which provides kids the edge they need to help retain information and stay focused. By taking a break and moving around, kids receive a necessary tool they need to help them succeed at whatever it is they are working on. Movement is vital when it comes to brain breaks. Moving the body also helps relieve stress, which we all know many kids are experiencing right now. Movement, in turn, will give kids a release that allows them to get back to work and refocus.

How many Brain Breaks do kids need?

According to research, kids need to take a 3-5 minute break every 45 minutes of working. As each teacher adapts and creates their Distance Learning routines, they need to remind and educate parents and students on how to incorporate Brain Breaks into their day. I have been letting my families know that it is essential to have frequent breaks during learning. As a First Grade teacher, I am suggesting students work for 30-40 minutes, with a 10-15 minute break twice a day. So my students are working a total of 60-80 minutes with two 10-15 minute breaks in between. I have also suggested that my students add in 20 minutes to read to self or with someone else. These breaks will vary based on age, grade, and individual students.

What are some at-home Brain Breaks my can students do?

There are several Brain Breaks to suggest to parents and kids to help them thrive during this time. I've given parents the advice to help their child pick something they can transition to and from easily. I make it a point to say that they know what works and doesn't work best for their child. I also recommend staying away from screen time here because they are using screens for many hours a day already. I have also tried to encourage parents and siblings to join in on Brain Breaks. This situation is stressful for parents too! So if they can be goofy and/or active with their child during this time, that can also be helpful. All of these Brain Breaks can be used during our online platforms for Distance Learning. I recently had my first Zoom meeting with my kids, and after answering questions and explaining assignments, we ended our session with a group GoNoodle. They left that meeting with smiles from ear to ear. Incorporating Brain Breaks into our Distance Learning/Teaching will help students feel some normalcy and routine that they are missing from their classrooms.  

Movement Brain Breaks

1. Breaks can be as easy as jumping jacks, push-ups, and stretching to getting outside to toss a Frisbee, kick a soccer ball, a game of tag, or even a walk or bike ride.

  

2. Dance Party- When brains need breaks, nothing beats turning on a song and having a dance party. Have kids choose a song to play and let them move around and dance for the entire song.  

3. Secret Handshakes- For a quick Brain Break, have a family/sibling handshake. Take a quick minute to make up and practice a fun handshake to do anytime your child needs a break.

4. Yoga- Yoga will give kids a break they need in between tasks. Encourage kids to be mindful as they move through favorite yoga poses.  Cosmic Kids Yoga is a favorite Youtube channel with tons of themed yoga videos kids will enjoy!  

5. GoNoodle- This website gives kids a fun and silly way to work out the wiggles! Kids will love jumping, moving, and singing along to their favorite GoNoodle videos. You can stream the videos on Youtube or on your SmartTV.

6. Sami Circuit- Sami Kadar, a long-time fitness expert has recorded circuit videos on Youtube. The circuit combines a high-energy, age-appropriate music mix, sound and lighting effects, and exercises tailored to the participating age group.

Brain Break Games- Kids love playing games. Games give kids the chance to take a moment and simply have fun.  

1. Freeze Dance- This game is like freeze tag and musical chairs rolled into one single fun game. Turn on the music and have kids dance around the room. When the music turns off, kids must freeze in whatever dance moves they were doing.  

2. Would You Rather (Animal Edition)- This is just a fun game of asking the question- Would you rather be a ____ or a _____? Have students act out the animal they chose. This is a fun question to ask students during a Zoom Call or as a question of the day in your Google Classroom.  It can even turn into a writing prompt.

3. Hot Potato- Use a beanbag/ball and have families toss it around the room as the music plays. When the music stops, whoever is holding the "potato" is out.  

4. Simon Says- This game makes a great brain break for families. Kids need to pay attention as they attempt to do what Simon says.  

5. Rock Paper Scissors- This is a fun, quick way for families to engage for a brain break.  

Educational Brain Breaks- These are fun ways for your students to take a break and practice skills they might have already learned.

1. Air Spelling- Challenge kids to "air write" their spelling or High-Frequency words. Parents can have fun guessing the words.

2. Pop- Practice skip counting during a Brain Break. Pick a magic number, then have kids play with families taking turns counting, with the word POP replacing multiples of the magic number. If skip counting by 3's, the sequence would be 1-2-POP-4-5-POP...

3. Syllable Clap- Have kids talk to their parents or siblings, but while chatting, they need to clap (or stomp) the syllables of the words they say. They can also do this brain break activity with spelling words.

4. Categories- Name a category, and each person has to name a word that fits into that category. For example- Beach- then you could say words like such as sand, umbrella, etc..

No matter which of these Brain Breaks teachers, students, or parents use, I'm sure they will help our students be more successful at home throughout this quarantine. And most importantly, kids will learn and have fun!  

Positively Teaching,  

Randi Muehlen

Student Engagement with Whole Brain Teaching by Kim Reza

Student Engagement with Whole Brain Teaching

Did you give Whole Brain Teaching a try? Are you hesitant in fear of failure? Did you think to yourself, my kids would never buy into that model of teaching? I promise you, if done right, this method can work in most every setting.

“Memory is not stored in a single area of the brain but is broken apart into visual images, emotion, movement, and other sensory areas of the brain” (Willis, 2007; Wolfe, 2015).”

When I first started implementing this strategy in my classroom, I focused solely on the memorization of facts with micro teach. It wasn’t until mid-year, when my students stopped wanting to participate that I realized there was a need for strategies that increased student engagement. As I researched this problem, I found several topics to address this concern.

“I don’t love studying. I hate studying. I like learning. Learning is beautiful.” -Natalie Portman

Here are a few of the strategies I use in my classroom:

1.The scoreboard:
The scoreboard is a central feature of the Whole Brain Teacher’s classroom. It is an integral part of class management when working with younger students and is critical in keeping older students focused. It basically operates on good ole positive and negative reinforcement. It is simple to understand and use.

STEP ONE - On one side of the whiteboard draw a "Smiley face" next to a "Frowny face."

STEP TWO - Draw a line between the two faces creating a column under each face.

STEP THREE - When students are paying attention, and participating with gestures and you are happy with the way things are going put a check in the Smiley face column and have them cheer your approval by saying an enthusiastic "OH YEA" in unison (known as 'the "MIGHTY OH YEA").

STEP FOUR - When student performance/behavior is not up to par put a check under the Frowny face and have the students moan a collective "OH NO" while wiping away an imaginary tear.

STEP FIVE - At the end of class add up the checks under the respective faces. More checks in the Happy face column means the class has earned some kind of reward (I usually use the ClassDojo store as a reward) More checks under the frown face means a “negative” reinforcement (for me it is just a reminder for them to get more involved. The frowny face is consequence enough).

IMPORTANT NOTE! Do not have a total of more than three checks in in the Frowny face column in excess of the number in the Smiley face otherwise the "SCOREBOARD" loses effectiveness. Students become resentful and lose interest in the "game."

2.Kagan structures:
Quiz-Quiz- Trade, Timed Round Robin, Fan and Pick

3.Make your own movement and definition:
After students become familiar with micro teach, I release my control of leading the lesson and allow them (individually, with partners, or small groups) to come up their own definition and movement for the academic term.

If you would like to read a more in-depth piece on Whole Brain Teaching, check out this website: http://wholebrainteaching.com/

For the love of teaching,

Kimberly Reza

Shake Up Your Classroom with WBT by Kim Reza

Shake Up Your Classroom with WBT

Dying to keep your students engaged? 

Do your students look confused when you’re talking? How would you like them to hang on to your every word?  You can solve all of this, by simply implementing Whole Brain Teaching (WBT) into your practice.

Whole Brain Teaching is an approach designed toward maximizing student engagement and focusing on the way the brain is really designed to learn. It is an integrated method combining effective classroom management and pedagogically sound approaches to student engagement that are effective with a wide range of student learning populations.

 “The first step in learning another language is to internalize the code in the same way you assimilated your native language, which was through commands.”

-James Asher

In my class, students need to be presented with a variety of ways to keep them engaged. If I’m doing all the work, they’re not learning. The students in my classroom learn 90% of their vocabulary with Whole Brain Learning. Academic language is not their “native” language. They need the vocabulary in order to make connections and comprehend. There are several strategies for Whole Brain Teaching; however, I only use the strategies that best suit the needs of my kids.

“Tell me and I forget. 

Teach me and I remember. 

Involve me and I learn.” 

-Benjamin Franklin

First Steps to get started:

Micro-teach with Gestures.

This means giving one small bit of information that the students will reteach to each other. It requires the teacher to be animated and use gestures as he or she teaches. As an example, if we were teaching Author’s Purpose, the teacher would begin the process by introducing a very small bit of information such as "The author’s purpose is the reason" After the students have learned this small bit of information you build on this idea. The following TEACH-OK segment would be "why the author writes." I continue building so on and so forth until all the purposes have been taught or at least all the vocabulary that I wish to cover.  Proximity is important in the beginning. I have the students sit on the carpet (yes, 4th-6th graders on the carpet!), so they can self-correct their behavior, improve their focus, actively engage on a task, and enhance their outcome.

 

Tune in next month to see how I keep my students engaged while doing Whole Brain Teaching.

For the love of teaching, 

Kimberly Reza