Whole Brain Teaching
As the year progresses, you will notice that the classrooms at Thiriot Elementary don’t run like “ordinary” classrooms. Our students learn through Whole Brain Teaching, a research-based system that utilizes all areas of the brain, keeps children engaged throughout their lessons, and helps them retain much more information than the standard lecture-discussion model.
Whole Brain Teaching is a highly interactive form of instruction that delivers information to students in short “chunks.” Kids then teach what they have just learned to their partners, using hand-gestures to help remember specific vocabulary. Students get a chance to become teachers themselves! Research shows that children retain more information when they have an opportunity to put it into their own words and use gestures to emphasize key instructional units … plus, it’s amazingly fun!
There is so much to Whole Brain Teaching! You may hear your child talking about the following:
The 5 Rules:
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Follow directions quickly
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Raise your hand for permission to speak
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Raise your hand for permission to leave your seat
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Make smart choices
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Keep your dear learning community happy
Character Education:
Students at Thiriot Elementary are rewarded and encouraged to use their manners! Students are often heard saying, “please, thank you, you’re welcome” with a smile and a fun gesture!
Super Improvers Team:
At Thiriot Elementary, we admire effort and growth so that every child can be equally successful and receive recognition. Throughout the year, teachers will help students set personal goals and strive to meet these goals! When students meet these personal goals, they will get rewarded, move up a level, and set a new goal. Students are rewarded for improving and working hard! Some goals may include: following directions quickly, improving their handwriting, reading their sight word list, improving on their math facts, working hard to finish a book series, remembering to raise their hand to speak, and using manners. Keep an eye out for their super improver cards. If your child brings one home, that means they met their goal and leveled up! Be sure to congratulate them and encourage them to keep meeting their goals!
Mirror Words:
When the teacher or student says, “mirror words,” their audience needs to “mirror” them by copying what they say and do!
Class-Yes:
When the teacher or student says, “Class,” the audience responds with, “Yes?” This means the audience is giving their full attention!
Class Scoreboard:
Every day, students work hard on making good choices and working their way up a behavior chart so that they can earn recognition (and sometimes a treat) for themselves. The class scoreboard is a great way for students to work together as a team and earn something as a whole class! All week, students strive to make good choices, follow the class rules, use manners, etc. When they do, they get an “Mighty Oh Yeah” point on their class scoreboard. If they aren’t making good choices, they earn a “Mighty Groan” point on their scoreboard. If students have more “Mighty Oh Yeah” points by the end of the week, they earn a class reward. This may include a treat, extra recess, extra technology time, a spin on a wheel, etc! It is a great way to build the classroom community.
If you have any questions about Whole Brain Teaching, feel free to ask! We are passionate about it and proud of its success!
-The Thiriot Team