Class? Yes! and Hands & Eyes

*This is a repost of one of my first WBT posts. I am reposting it now to add some context to the new Whole Brain Teaching posters in my TpT Store, and also to add some additional information that has helped me through this year :) Enjoy!

One of the very first things I tried from Whole Brain Teaching's strategies, and the easiest to implement was "Class-Yes". 

The premise is simple: the teacher says, "Class?" and the students respond, "Yes!". When they say "Yes!" they also need to stop whatever they are doing and give me their undivided attention.

I begin this in a very similar way that WBT Inventor, Chris Biffle, does:

However the teacher says "Class" is how the students respond. This is where the creativity and fun come in. Here are some of my favorites:
  • high-pitched voice
  • low voice and slooooow
  • repeat class twice or three times
  • "Classity Class" (response: "Yessity Yes")
  • "Classadoddle Doo" (response: "Yesadoodle Doo")
  • songs: Frere Jacques works well (I had one of my girls come up and say that she loved when I sung lullabies the best!)
  • "Oh Class" (response: "Oh Yes")
  • whispering
  • loud!
It typically takes us two to three times to get everyone together. We then record how well we did on the scoreboard that he also mentions in the video.

If a particularly important concept is coming up, after "Class-Yes" I will ask for "Hands and Eyes" and clasp my hands together. The students will repeat, "Hands and Eyes" and clasp their hands, stop what they are doing and look directly at me, giving me their undivided attention.
I was taken aback about 1. how quickly they caught on and 2. how much FUN we were all having-- there were times after "Class-Yes" we were all giggling a bit :)

Find these posters and a whole bunch more in my TpT Store HERE!


15 comments

  1. I look forward to trying this. I have quite a few students who have disruptive behaviors and I have students who LOVE to talk, so I'm always looking for something to try.

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    1. Hi Brittany, Definitely check out the Whole Brain Teaching website at wholebrainteaching.com-- I have only been using it a short time and it is amazing how effective it is! There are also quite a few tips on that site about the difficult ones :) I'd love to hear how it works for you! :)

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  2. I can't wait to try this out!! I'm a sub this year, and I love finding new ways to engage student's attention!

    Andrea
    Cheers to School

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    1. Hi Andrea,

      I think this would be so easy to use as a sub! It really works within the first few seconds you try it out and the benefit is that it makes my day as a teacher fly by because we are all having so much fun and staying so focused! Let me know how it works :)

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  3. Your blog is already one of my favorites, but considering that I'm really hoping to look into Whole Brain Teaching and finally ready Daily 5 this summer along with switching to third grade... I will probably be stalking you a lot this summer :)

    Jenny
    Luckeyfrog's Lilypad

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  4. Thanks, Jenny! You made my day with your sweet comment :)

    Let me know if there is anything I can do to help! I am so excited for you!

    ~Stephanie

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  5. I love your info on whole brain teaching! I was hoping to get a head start on this...since I teach at a year-round school. I was unable to download the cute posters on TpT...a writing process poster set came up instead. Please let me know when I can get those great "class...yes!" poster sets.
    Thanks,
    Celeste

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    1. Hi Celeste,

      I'm so excited for you to be starting WBT! You will LOVE it :) :)

      Here's the direct link to the posters in my store: http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Whole-Brain-Teaching-Posters-with-Clip-Art

      Thanks so much for stopping by and keep me updated with how WBT works for you!

      ~Stephanie

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  6. I am a kindergarten teacher and have been using whole brain for 2 years! It is by far the most effective classroom management system I've ever used!! Thanks for the posters!!

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    1. Hi jgreen,

      Thanks so much for your comment! It's awesome to hear from teachers at other grade levels that use WBT and see it working so well! I am so glad you can use the posters and hope you are enjoying your summer :)

      ~Stephanie

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  7. Hello Stephanie,

    I am going to start using the whole brain teaching this year with my 3rd graders and I noticed you have a poster for yes, no way! Can you briefly explain this poster? I've watched I think all the videos on the WBT website, however, I don't think I have come across this one. Also, if you can offer any advice to a newbie using WBT, I all ears.

    Thanks!
    Denise

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    1. Hi Denise,

      I am actually going to be covering that in an upcoming post :) The short answer is that it's a way to quickly assess at the end of a minilesson. You ask yes/no questions and the kids reply accordingly.

      Have you checked out the Whole Brain Teaching website? It's wonderful and they have TONS of free ebooks and videos. www.wholebrainteaching.com

      Thanks for stopping by and enjoy WBT- you'll love it :)

      ~Stephanie

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  8. I can not access the whole brain teaching posters on tpt. I really like them and would like to get a copy. Can you help me out?
    Thanks,
    Dru

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    1. Hi Dru,

      They have been relisted recently- here's the direct link: http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Whole-Brain-Teaching-Posters-with-Clip-Art

      Enjoy!

      ~Stephanie

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  9. Do you only do hands and eyes when you have whole group or do you use it in small group teaching as well? I'm new to teaching with small groups... I've always had a program that did whole group then guided practice then independent practice... with math.

    Please advise.

    Thanks,
    Lorri

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