Jumping in Head First!

I don't think I've ever felt quite so excited before for a school year to begin, simply so I can try out a newly learned teaching technique.  I've certainly never been excited for school to start again after having a very brief vacation due to teaching summer school, that's fo' sure!  However, I'm finding myself actually GIDDY with anticipation.

Why?
Whole Brain Teaching, that's why!

And just what is Whole Brain Teaching, you might ask.  Well, let me tell you...
It is all that, and a bag of chips!
It's the whole kit AND kaboodle!
And not to mention, the kitchen sink!

In short, WBT (Whole Brain Teaching) is a style of classroom management that encourages student participation by stimulating various brain functions through gestures, movement, repetition, laughter, merriment, and pure student fun.  It reaches out to visual, oral, and kinesthetic learners all at the same time, and I'm SO STINKING EXCITED to be doing it!!!

I found out about WBT completely by luck, or perhaps more accurately, by the grace of God, because I wasn't looking for anything, it just fell in my lap via YouTube.  Here's the first video I ever saw of WBT in action.  I thought to myself, "Self!  This amazing teacher could be you!  This incredibly responsive class could be yours!  Find out more!!"

And I did find out more, a WHOLE lot more.  In fact, more than I could reasonably take in over the course of the next few days.  I've been reading, watching, and soaking up through osmosis, as much about WBT as I possibly can.

I began reading from the "First Steps" section of website, while watching WBT creator, Chris Biffle's YouTube videos about each of first steps.  It helped me to read a little, watch a little, read a little, and so on.

 Next, I  moved on to the free e-books.  Now, I don't know about you, but I when I see something is "free" I figure there is usually a catch involved.  However, I've come to learn that WBT's creators pride themselves on truly making their materials absolutely free.  I've only found one item that is charged for, and that costs all of $0.99 each.

I can not emphasize how much WBT has already changed my attitude towards teaching this upcoming school year.  I tell ya...I was a Grumpy Gus just a few weeks ago.  Summer school was about the worst experience I ever had.  My usual classroom management was very ineffective with many, very unruly third graders.  I felt like a failure, and I was not looking forward to the start of this school year.  But now, after loading my arsenal with the likes of "Class/Yes!" and "Teach/Okay!" I feel more ready for a new year than ever before!

Here's to a great school year filled with energized, engaged students and a teacher who is once again excited about teaching!