WBT 5+1 Rules

As the year has been progressing I am a huge fan of the Whole Brain Rules.  For many years I thought I had the perfect rules.  They were short and easy to understand but as I transitioned to WB I easily became a believer.

Unlike most WB teachers I chose to use Practice Cards pretty early because most teachers in my school have kids sit out when they had rule infractions in class.  I found out that many of my students would go do the rules automatically when they lost recess or even offered to give up their time on the Ipad or Computer to do their rules so that they did not have to lose their time outside. 

We also use the rules to find one that we want to improve upon each week.  It is so nice to have found a system where instead of having to invent or add rules  because they are measurable  and are are already intact.

Rule 1: Follow directions quickly. (Hold up one finger, then waggle your hand quickly, like a rapidly swimming fish.)
Rule 2: Raise your hand for permission to speak. (Hold up two fingers, then lower your hand and make talking motions beside your mouth.)
Rule 3: Raise your hand for permission to leave your seat. (Hold up three fingers, then walk two fingers down your arm and then jump the fingers upward off the back of your hand … as if leaving a seat.)
Rule 4: Make smart choices. (Hold up four fingers, then tap you temple four times, once for each syllable in Rule 4.)
Rule 5: Keep your dear teacher happy! (Hold up five fingers, then use both hands, framing your mouth, as you happily smile)
Diamond Rule: Keep your eyes on the target, please! (Point two fingers at your eyes, then two fingers at your class.)