The first Whole Brain Teaching
strategy was first suggested to me about a year ago by my mentor, it made me
nervous because of two reasons; One I did not know how administration and more
importantly, I did not know how my students would respond. I looked it up on
YouTube as she suggested and never looked at it again. Right away I decided
that it was not for me. As I reflect on it now (because of this class) I have a
chance to reexamine this method of engagement, and after careful consideration
I have come to the conclusion that not only is it a proven method, and one that
I’ve seen meaning times before, by military and ancient and current Sub-Saharan
cultures and their descendants.
When I was in the Navy and
stationed with the Marines I saw it used during field and classroom instruction
during training exercises and maneuvers, and in the form of cadence as well.
Both African and African American teachers have used the teaching method of
“Call and Response” to get their point across during lesson for years. Call and
Response has found its way into Gospel Music, and now mainstream classrooms call
WBT.
I myself have used some of these
methods without even realizing it. I begin my class with “Eyes Front!” and the
class responds “Mouths Closed!” they turn and face the front wait for
instruction. As I teach I have my students repeat critical information in
strategic parts of the lesson, rather than the entire lessons as seen in the YouTube
videos. I plan to use it more in the future, perhaps next year.
