Whole Brain Teaching

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.