SuperSpeed Math Whole Brain

A couple of years ago I started to incorporate some of the whole brain techniques into my instruction and I really liked it.  I haven't incorporated the Superspeed Math as of yet, but I have been looking at it a lot lately.  When I read about it, I could see how it would be beneficial to the students.  

When I have searched it online, I have seen it being used a lot in 3-6 grades.  I haven't come across any as of yet that use it in the 1st grade.  I'm wondering if any of you use it?  If so, I would love to hear how you got it started and how you manage it in your classroom.  I'm anxious to hear from all of you that use it or have used it.

Have a great day!

I'M READY-I THINK???

Tonight we have Back to School Night and tomorrow is our first day of school!  I have everything done-I think.  I keep thinking of things that I have forgotten to do, but I'm hoping I am all done now and ready to roll.  Here are some more pictures of my classroom (in a previous post, I had pictures as I was getting some of the classroom done):

 I love all the room there is in the classroom!

I'm trying out the Super Improver Wall from Whole Brain Teaching.  I found these cute posters from Made By Camp Kindergarten.

I hope all of you are getting everything ready for school to start if you haven't started yet.  If you have started, I hope your year has started off great!  

Have a great day!

Busy Week!

I don't know what it was about last week, but it seemed to be very busy.  Maybe it was because on Monday we had a teacher work day (getting grades done etc. and preparing for parent teacher conferences this week), and we only had 4 days with the kids.  Here is a look into some of the activities that went on throughout the week:

Playing a connect 4 game with short u words that we have on TPT

I did the scoreboard from Whole Brain with the kids and they loved it.  When they beat me, we did a 1 min. dance party and here they are grooving!  LOL!

Another dance session

If you look closely you can see that these 2 kids are wearing lanyards with words on it.  Each student got one of these every day and they had the sight words that we were working on for the week on them.  Whenever I called on them, they had to tell me what their word was before they answered my question.

Number line adding and subtracting.  I got this neat idea from The Bubbly Blonde

The students got post its numbered 0-10 and had to build their number line with their partner.  I then gave them addition and subtraction problems and they had to use their number line to answer the problems.  They had a lot of fun doing this activity.

More number line

more number line

Owl assembly-Our theme this year is owls and the school had someone come in and talk about owls and she brought a real rescued owl to show the kids.  

Check out this great EEKING for Daily 5!

We go over our Whole Brain Rules every morning and I have one student lead us.  Here they are saying the rules.  

 Extra practice for that spelling test.  They love working with a partner and practicing spelling their words.  

Well, like I said I felt like it was a very busy week and this week we begin parent teacher conferences.  I'm not sure why but it is always around this time of year that I get sick.  So, guess what?  I got a sinus infection and felt horrible over the weekend.  Luckily I was able to sleep a lot and thanks to this wonderful sinus remedy below......I feel much better! 

http://theelliotthomestead.com/2012/11/an-awful-awesome-rinse/

If you have never done it before, I will tell you that it is awful to do, but it works wonders!  Try it the next time you get a sinus infection.  

Hope you have a great day!

Whole Brain Scoreboard ????

I started to use some whole brain in my classroom last year.  I never incorporated the scoreboard because I have always done points in the classroom.  My points are boys vs. girls and class vs. Mrs. Torrey.  Here's how I've used it:

Example:  When they come in the room whoever is the quietest gets a point.  If it is both the boys and girls then the boys, girls, and class get a point.  If both are talking etc. then I get a point.  We keep track of points all week and at the end of the week, we see who got the most points.  There is no prizes etc., just for fun to see who gets the most points for the week.

If you have read my blogs in the past, you know that I have a hard time with change.  So, when I saw the scoreboard....I immediately said to myself....no need to do that because I already do points in the classroom.  Well, now that I'm looking at it closer, I'm wondering if it would be more beneficial and helpful than my points in the classroom.  

So, I am wanting to know if anyone uses it?  How do you use it?  Do you find it helpful?  I would love to hear your thoughts before I make a change and implement it into the classroom.  

Hope you have a great week!