Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/994766
Whole Brain Teaching Rules With Whole Brain Teaching, Carlanda Williams' students "mirror " her words or chant back information and mimic hand movements, including this before each day 's lessons: Class? Yes? My sweet class? My sweet class. Mirror words. Mirror words. Rule Number 1. Rule Number 1. Follow directions quickly. Follow directions quickly. Other rules students recite are: Raise your hand for permission to speak. Raise your hand for permission to get out of your seat and leave. Make smart choices. Keep your dear teacher happy. "Diamond rule": Keep your eyes on the target. Williams recommends educator and author Chris Biffle's book to learn more about Whole Brain Teaching: Whole Brain Teaching for Challenging Kids. She also uses strategies from Making Thinking Vis- ible, by Ron Ritchhart, Mark Church and Karin Morrison. For more on Williams and WBT, view videos of her leading class at tinyurl.com/WBT-CWilliams, and check out wholebrainteaching.com. Her classroom is decorated in a Disneyland theme — including a fireworks display on the wall — and like Disneyland, it is one of the happiest places on earth. Indeed, Williams has enough energy, radiance and enthusiasm for her own children's television show. Parents, administrators, students on board When she first heard about WBT, Williams thought it sounded interest- ing, so she attended a two-day conference in Louisiana, where speakers modeled instruction and demonstrated how it works. She decided after- ward that she did not want to go back to ordinary teaching. "My administrators have been very supportive. My principal loves it because kids are actively engaged. I appreciate that I have that kind of freedom." At first, she was a bit concerned about what parents would think, but after an explanation and demonstration at back-to-school night, and seeing how their children loved it, parents embraced it. Many told her that their formerly shy children were much more outgoing and confident. Williams emphasizes that it's more than chanting. Because her stu- dents are more expressive, they have become critical thinkers. "Some of the kids who used to be really shy are now opening up and having rich conversations in class based on information they have read in the text. To see students have an entire conversation without me and become facilitators of their own learning is every teacher's dream." "I'm glad to be in this class," says student Jorge Mariscal. "At first it was kind of weird, but now it feels regular. It really makes learning fun." "I like it a lot," says classmate Rosie Trujillo. "Practicing things aloud not only helps our writing, but it also helps us talk in com- plete sentences." Williams posted a video on Facebook using WBT, and it has been viewed nearly 100,000 times. A few other teachers at her school have also taken up this style of teaching. Williams was recently featured on ABC 30 Fresno, and teachers from all over the country and even in Canada and the Philippines have reached out to her to learn more about WBT. "I think it's the coolest thing ever," says Williams. " It make s l earnin g joy ful . And w hat can b e b ett er than that?" Student Aaron Cha demonstrates the Diamond Rule (see sidebar). 18 cta.org Perspectives M E M B E R S P O T L I G H T