Resources to Start Off Your Week 23

     This week I found two awesome resources to start off your week! One is the perfect one-stop-shop for adding new ideas into your classroom and the other is a great new way to use Google! As always, I will be adding these to my ever-growing list of ed resources under my Fav Websites page.

1 ) Teacher Tipster
- Organized by Dustin Smith, Teacher Tipster is a jackpot of helpful tips for
   teachers including lesson plans, classroom management strategies, classroom
   organization, printables and videos.
- The Teacher Tipster YouTube channel, click the videos tab on the website, has
   almost 100 videos of great ideas to implement in our classrooms!
- http://www.teachertipster.com/

2 ) What Do You Love? by Google

- How many times have you had your students do a research project only to
  have them type their key words into Google and copy from Wikipedia because
  it is almost always the first link to be listed?
- With Google's new application, What Do You Love, users can type in their key
  terms and rather than getting a list of websites they get a visual idea board of

  information from over 20 of Google's systems including books, videos, images,

  scholarly articles, translation information, popularity trends, and mapping
  information.
- This website is perfect for beginning research projects, getting information from

  multiple types of sources and encourages students to look at different types of

  information rather than reading a Wikipedia article.
- I've had this website freeze on me a few times after I've pressed the search
   button but maybe that is just my computer.
- http://www.wdyl.com/

My screen capture for my search on Whole Brain Teaching.

Happy Monday everyone!

One Lovely Blog Award

     I'm so excited to have received ANOTHER blog award! I'd like to thank Becca at Fun 4th Resources for awarding me the One Lovely Blog Award.

     Becca's blog is a trove of amazing ed resources and ideas. She has been blogging for almost two years and shares some great classroom project ideas. If you aren't already one of her almost 600 followers I definitely recommend you stop on over and check her blog out!

To keep the love going, here are the rules:
1 ) Follow the person that gave you the award if you don't already
2 ) Link back to the person who gave you the award
3 ) Pass the award on to 15 more bloggers.

     The 15 blogs I've chosen can definitely be described as lovely blogs! Not only do they have some of the cutest blog designs out there but they share great classroom ideas and lots of freebies! You'll notice that almost all of these blogs are elementary blogs, why do elementary teachers have the best blogs!? I have a really hard time finding high school blogs so if you have any that I should check out let me know.

1 ) Dandelions and Dragonflies

2 ) Wolfelicious

3 ) 2nd Grade Pad

3 ) 2nd Grade Pig Pen

4 ) Down Under Teacher

 








5 ) Teachery Tidbits

6 )  Sweet Times in First

7 ) Strings, Keys & Melodies

8 ) For the Love of Teaching

9 ) Miss Kindergarten

10 ) Just Another Day in... First Grade

11 ) Little Miss Kindergarten

12 ) Lesson Plan SOS

13 ) What the Teacher Wants

14 ) No Doubt Learning

15 ) Teaching in the Early Years

Official WBT "Blog Bug"

I have exciting news!

Chris Biffle got a hold of me yesterday (yes, Coach B!) and offered me a position with WBT as the

 Official WBT Blog Bug.

I'll be using this logo on my blog when I'm posting about WBT blogs!

I will be working with the wonderful Misty from Think, Wonder & Teach and Melissa from WBT with Scrapbunny on all things WBT blog related!

Not only will we be continuously networking with all the wonderful WBT bloggers out there but we will also be in charge of updating the ever-growing list of WBT blogs.

 Together, we will be creating a brand new up-to-date blog list in the WBT forum soon so users can access all the WBT blogs in one easy location.
Plus we will be working on creating new, exciting ways to promote the best WBT blogs!
(I will update the list on my blog as well)

Need to update the info about your blog?

Found a great blog that needs to be added to our list?

Want your blog on the list?

Know a blogger that hasn't posted in a while and needs a pick-me-up?
Want to work on a collaborative blog project?

Let us know and we will take care of it all :)

Whole Brain Teaching Wednesday! WBT Certification Program

     Want to be certified as an official Whole Brain Teaching Certified Instructor? Then the Whole Brain Teaching Certification program is for you!

  

     Unfortunately, I haven't really been on the ball with this program quite yet, although I've been enviously watching everyone else post about it regularly this summer. For some reason my computer or internet connection would not format either the live web casts by Mr. Biffle or the WBT Certification PDF so I was left with minimal information. 

    But that is all in the past now because the wonderful Director of WBT Certification, Nancy Stoltenberg, has set me up with all the info I need. So if you are like me and still just figuring it all out, here is what you need to know:  

     The Whole Brain Teaching Certification program is FREE, available online, allows you to work at your own pace, and has no set time lines. In other words, it can be the PERFECT summer project that we can work on while we prep for our new classrooms and take summer vacations!

     This is how WBT Certification is described by Chris Biffle and Nancy Stoltenberg:

"Whole Brain Teaching certification is available at a variety of competency levels from Novice to International Presenter... A certified WBT educator has demonstrated the ability to effectively use core classroom management strategies and instructional materials available at WholeBrainTeaching.com. Letters of recommendation and awards that accompany WBT Certification can be used as significant supplements to an educator's professional resume."

Level 1:

- WBT Novice:

- 100 Certification Points

 

Level 2:

- WBT Advanced Novice:

- 200 Certification Points

 

Level 3:

- WBT Intermediate:

- 300 Certification Points

 

Level 4:

- WBT Advanced Intermediate:

- 500 Certification Points + score 90% on online certification test
- The next level is the biggie!

Level 5:

- WBT Board Certified Instructor:

- 700 Certification Points + Exemplary Video + Oral Exam

 

Level 6:

- WBT Board Certified Trainer:

- 1000 Certification Points + Special Assignments

 

Level 7:

- WBT Board Certified District Presenter:

- 1500 Certification Points + Special Assignments

 

Level 8:

- WBT Board Certified Regional Presenter:

- 2000 Certification Points + Special Assignments

 

Level 9:

- WBT Board Certified National Presenter:

- 3000 Certification Points + Special Assignments

 

Level 10:

- WBT Board Certified International Presenter:

- 5000 Certification Points + Special Assignments

For more information on Whole Brain Teaching and the Whole Brain Teaching Certification program check out the Whole Brain Teaching website or get in touch with Nancy Stoltenberg, the Director of WBT Certification.

I can't wait to get started!!

Liebster Blog Love

     About a week ago I posted that I had recieved one of my first blog awards, the Liebster Blog Award, from Ms. Julie aka Southern Teacher. I was so excited and still am! Since then I have seen this blog award floating around some other amazing blogs that I have followed for quite some time and it is such an honour to be included with them in this award.

     Since that time, I was re-awarded this blog by both Roxi Shayne and Nancy Stoltenberg! Now both of these wonderful ladies have AMAZING Whole Brain Teaching blogs that I have followed since before I began a blog of my own. They have a consistent presence on the WBT Forums and have been so supportive as I've made my way through this educational journey. If you aren't familiar with either of their blogs I definitely recommend that you check them out as soon as you can. They are also both part of my list of Whole Brain Teaching blogs under my Fav Websites page.

     If you missed my first post about the Liebster Blog Award, this award is given out to new blogs with less than 200 followers to highlight our efforts in the blogging world.

To keep the love going, here are the rules:

1. Copy and paste the award on your blog.

2. Thank the giver and link back to them.

3. Reveal your top 5 picks and let them know by leaving a comment on their blog.

     I am reposting my top 5 picks from when Ms. Julie aka Southern Teacher awarded me the Liebster Blog, so if you missed them the first time, here they are :)

1 ) My Whole Brain Teaching Blog
- The only other Whole Brain Teaching blog I have found from a Canadian teacher!
- Liann has provided me with so much support both on the WBT forum as well as
  through her blog.
- She is also part of my list of Whole Brain Teaching resources under my Fav
  Websites page.

2 ) Miss Read Gets Schooled
- Miss Read and I have been "blog friends" right since I started blogging!
- She just finished up her degree this past month and I loved hearing all her
  adventures as she went through her student teaching placements and now
  as she looks for a teaching job.

3 ) My Whole Brain Blog
- Carole is one of the WBT interns for 2012/2013 and has a great blog started up!
- Her blog posts are incredibly detailed, insightful and always have great pictures
  showcasing her WBT classroom! Its a great stop if you really want to learn more
  about WBT.

4 ) For the Love of Teaching
- I was referred to a great PLN that lead to me finding Diane's blog shortly after that.
- Diane blogs about education and her use of the BrainSMART program which shares
  some similar ideas about learning as WBT. Since we found each other she has been
  so supportive of my blogging and learning more about education!

5 ) Prairie Inspiration
- Mary is one of my favourite connected educators from Manitoba!
- We share a lot of ideas through Twitter as we are both going through the education
  program in the same province, although at different universities. She has been a
  great support to me and shares all of her classroom ideas on her blog.

Resources to Start Off Your Week 22

     For some of you out there this may be your LAST Monday of the school year! If so, I am sending best wishes to you as your wrap up your school year. I know that some of you have been on summer break for a while already, while some more of you (I'm thinking of some of my Aussie friends) just started classes a while back.Well no matter where you are in your school year, this website should be a great resource for all of us!
     As always, I will be adding this to my Fav Websites page :)

PBLU: Making Projects Click
- This new online social network for teachers is fully centered on Project Based
   Learning. Although it has yet to officially launch (it says on the website
   Summer 2012) it should be a great resource for all of us to connect with other
   teachers, share project ideas and network to create collaborative projects for
   our students!
- PBLU is offering FREE two-week long online courses for those of us who are
   interested in taking part in some professional development this summer. The
   classes listed on the website include how to launch a project, how to create a
   project calendar, how to manage a project, how to grade a project, how to
   showcase student work and how to get PBL teacher certification.
- http://www.pblu.org/

Happy Monday everyone!

Whole Brain Teaching Wednesday! WBT Blogs Part 2

         I had full intentions of writing this post yesterday as I had the evening off of work, but thanks to a wonderful thunder storm our power went off for the evening right after supper! So even though it is one day late, here is this week's Whole Brain Teaching Wednesday... Thursday post :)

     After the success of my post about Whole Brain Teaching blogs I received a ton of emails about other great WBT blogs that should be added to the list! Thats one of the GREAT things about WBT, the support from other teachers is incredible!! So without further adieu, here are some new additions to the list:

** The information I provide about each blog has been taken from Blogger profiles and blog posts so if anything is incorrect please let me know ASAP so I can correct it :)

Collecting Apples
- Christine is currently teaching 5th Grade in Michigan, United States.
  She has been using Whole Brain Teaching in her classrooms for
  almost four years and has found that WBT has made her and her
  students much happier!
- http://collectingapples.blogspot.ca/


Data Junkie Goes Whole Brain
- Corinne is a 5th Grade teacher from Arizona, United States. WBT
  was actually introduced to her by administration during her first  year
  of teaching (yay!) and posts really insightful posts that make you think.
- mrsgettyswbt.blogspot.com


Down Under Teacher
- Kylie is a 2nd Grade teacher from Queensland, Australia! She just
  found Whole Brain Teaching this year and although she was
  apprehensive at the start she has loved how effective the strategies
  have been.
- http://downunderteacher.blogspot.ca/

Fun in Room 4B
- Elizabeth is a 4th Grade teacher from South Carolina, United States.
  She found Whole Brain Teaching through teaching blogs and is
  getting ready to go full WBT in her class next year!
- http://funin4b.blogspot.ca/


Middle School Math
- This math teacher based out of Oklahoma, United States has recently
  started learning more about Whole Brain Teaching and I can't wait to
  see more posts from them!
- http://commoncoremath.wordpress.com/


Mr. Fallis
- Mr. Fallis is a former All-American football player turned 4th Grade
  teacher from Ohio, United States. He takes all different types of
  teaching strategies and modifies them to best fit his classroom. He
  has all types of videos that you can access!
- http://emerson-mrfallis36.blogspot.ca/


Mrs. Slatton's Kindergarten
- Mrs. Slatton is a Kindergarten teacher from Kentucky, United
  States. She has started her blog to connect with other teachers
  using WBT so I recommend everyone stop by!
- http://msslattonwbt.blogspot.ca/


Mrs. Smith's 1st Grade Class
- Like her blog title suggests, Mrs. Smith teaches 1st Grade in
  Tennessee, United States. She began using Whole Brain Teaching
  in her classroom this year and is moving towards being certified!
- http://mrs-smithsroom.blogspot.ca/


Mrs. Valdes' Whole Brain Teaching
- Jan is a 3rd Grade teacher from Nevada, United States. Although she
  has been using Whole Brain Teaching in her classrooms for almost
  four years now she is new to the blogging world. Her posts have some
  great pics of her classroom.
- http://mrsvaldeswholebrainteachingexperience.blogspot.ca/

Musical Bits & Techie Bytes
- Anne is a music and technology teacher from South Dakota, United States.
  She has several great topics that she blogs about and is currently working
  towards obtaining her Whole Brain Teaching certification!
- http://musicalbitsandtechiebytes.blogspot.ca/


Musical Musings with Mrs. Lukow
- Kristin is a music teacher from the Heartland of the United States. She uses
  Whole Brain teaching in her music classroom and has great updates on what
  her classroom is up to.
- http://kristinlukow.blogspot.ca


My WBT Classroom
- Mrs. Voliand is a 3rd Grade teacher from Arizona, United States. She just
  finished her first year of using WBT and is looking forward to attending some
 conferences this summer to learn even more!
- http://mrsvwbt.blogspot.ca/


PAWsitively Wild for WBT
- Deanna is a 3rd Grade teacher who was introduced to Whole Brain Teaching last
  year as she prepared to move to 3rd Grade from another classroom. She has been
  introducing WBT strategies over time and is ready to go full force!
- http://pawsitivelywbt.blogspot.ca/

Shepherd's Shining Stars
- Mrs. Shepherd is a 4th Grade English teacher from Lousiana, United States. She
  has been using Whole Brain Teaching strategies in her classroom for a while now
  and loves the change in her classroom environment!
- http://ericashep.blogspot.ca

Southern Teacher WBT
- Miss Julie is a 3rd Grade teacher from Lousiana, United States. She has been
  using Whole Brain Teaching strategies for the past 2 years and has an
  adorable blog set up to document her adventures.
- http://southernteacherwbt.blogspot.ca/

Sweet Times in First
- Sandra is a 1st Grade teacher from Arizona, United States and has a ridicously
  adorable blog! She has been using WBT in her classroom for a little over a year
  and has great posts about her strategies, complete with pictures.
- http://sweettimesinfirst.blogspot.ca/

The Whole Brain Blogger
- Rand is currently teaching 3rd Grade in Oregon, United States. Rand's blog
  documents the first year of Whole Brain Teaching in their 3rd Grade class. I
  can't wait to read more from this blog!
- http://wholebrainraynor.blogspot.ca/


Think, Wonder & Teach
- Misty has extensive experience as a Kindergarden to Grade 4 teacher. She first
  found Whole Brain Teaching after her son was diagnosed with an issue dealing
  with his brain and is now well on her way to being Whole Brain Teaching
  certified!
- http://thinkwonderteach.blogspot.ca

Whole Brain Paradise
- Bethany is a 1st Grade teacher from Arizona, United States. She describes
  herself as a "rookie Wibbeteer" but has posted some great posts as she
  learns more about WBT. She is also very active on the WBT forums.
- http://wholebrainparadise.blogspot.ca

WBT
- This is Mr. Fallis' original blog (see his current one earlier on this list). He
  has added a few different teaching styles together which lead to creating a
  new blog that wasn't just dedicated to WBT. I believe, however, that this
  original blog still has lots of good posts!
- http://mrfallis36-mrfallis.blogspot.ca/


WBT in the Middle
- Mr. Wilson is a middle school teacher who has a resource classroom as
  well as a ELA classroom. He has used WBT for over a year and got the
  co-teacher in his ELA classroom hooked as well!
- http://wbtwow.blogspot.ca/


Whole Brain Teaching
- Staci is a 3rd Grade teacher who first learned about Whole Brain Teaching
  back in 2009! Over the years she has incorporated more and more strategies
  and is now just getting ready for her newest maternity leave.
- http://wbtblogger.blogspot.ca/


Whole Brain Teaching with Mrs. Chavez
- Mrs. Chavez is a 2nd Grade teacher from California, United States. She
  found Whole Brain Teaching in 2010 after a tour of another school in her
  district.  She has been doing so well and has even worked on making
  some of her own classroom videos!
- http://wholebrainteachingwithmrschavez.blogspot.ca/

Wolfelicious
- April is a Kindergarten teacher in Florida, United States. She is new
  to Whole Brain Teaching but not new to the blogging world! I know
  that she is plunging into the WBT pool this summer and I can't wait to
  read updates on how she is doing.
- http://wolfelicious.blogspot.ca/

Yearn to Learn
- Denise is currently teaching Grade 3 and is spending this summer learning more
  about Whole Brain Teaching strategies. Although she has already been using some
  strategies in her classroom she really wants to work towards using it to its full
  potential!
- http://yearn4learning.blogspot.ca

The entire list of 50-ish Whole Brain Teaching Blogs is available on my Fav Websites page under Whole Brain Teaching Resources!!