Whole Brain Teaching

So you have been Power Teaching for a while, and everything was AWESOME at the start. Gradually over a bit if time the effectiveness has fallen off, and you are letting up in using the techniques. Now you are not sure what to do. You want to get the magic back, you want to get the spark and power that you and your kids had when you first became a Power Team. Is that gone, sigh?

NO! Say it with me….NO!

STEP 1: Smile!

The magic is not gone. You are tired and the students are tired. Power Teaching is usable for low energy, but you really draw them in with the high energy. Regardless of your commitment life and school will conspire to suck your energy out. This WILL affect your students. If you slack off, or let your fatigue show, then they will also, and they will begin to slide back to the behaviors they were doing before you began this amazing method.

You are tired. I know, trust me, I have been there over and over. Think about this: It is hard to be down if you put effort into smiling. Stand, smile, deliver.

You really can get the power back with something as simple as smiling. Fake until you make it come back. Smile as you approach your class. Introduce the topic to be learned enthusiastically with a big ol’ smile. Do this consistently over the course of a few days and you will have them back.

STEP 2: Get back to basics.

Hit the rules again. If you and they have slacked off on good form, hitting the 5 rules, turning toward one another in Teach-OK, and so on, then get back to basics. Spend several days hitting the rules at the start of every class. Scramble the order so that they really have to pay attention to get it. Have a student stand up and teach a rule every so often.

If your energy level starts to fade during class switch to a micro-lecture, or a Teach-OK for a few minutes.

Getting back, full swing, in the groove of Power Teaching is a matter or getting back to basics, remember to smile and be enthusiastic yourself, and get back to basic operations and expectations to refresh everyone.

Power to the Teachers!