Christina Sauchak
Home
About Me
Meet Ms. Sauchak
Resume
Teaching Philosophy
First Year
Academic Instruction
>
Reader's Workshop
Writer's Workshop
Math Workshop
Science
Social Studies
Classroom Management & Setup
Cultures of Thinking
Formative Assessment
Parent Communication
Social Emotional Learning
Internship Year
Academic Instruction
>
Literacy
Math
Science
Social Studies
Classroom Management
Contact Me
NOTE:
Click on the photos or move your cursor over them to see the captions!
Welcome to my classroom!
Welcome to my classroom!
Welcome to my classroom!
Welcome to my classroom!
Students check in at the door every morning. They put their popsicle stick in the bucket that corresponds with their lunch choice. This also helps with taking attendance!
Our learning goals and schedule are posted daily.
Welcome to my classroom!
Welcome to my classroom!
My tables are organized into "teams" to encourage collaboration and teamwork. Each team has a table captain (the kids rotate each week) who is responsible for the team's supply crate.
My tables are organized into "teams" to encourage collaboration and teamwork. Each team has a table captain (the kids rotate each week) who is responsible for the team's supply crate. Crates store folders, Plickers cards, word work magnets, and formative assessment cups.
Welcome to my classroom!
Student-led calendar is a part of our daily morning routine. Calendar is very purposeful, reinforcing essential math skills including number sense, counting, sequencing, place value, graphing, addition, and subtraction.
Welcome to my classroom!
Welcome to my classroom!
Welcome to my classroom!
I use a variety of tools to engage my students in guided reading and small group instruction.
Welcome to my classroom!
Welcome to my classroom! My favorite part of my room is the library!
Welcome to my classroom! My favorite part of my room is the library!
Welcome to my classroom! My favorite part of my room is the library!
Welcome to my classroom!
Welcome to my classroom!
I have an interactive word wall in my classroom. The word cards are magnetic, so students may take words to their writing place and then return it to the wall.
I utilize all of this cabinet space for student thinking!
Students have a classroom job each week. Assigning students jobs teaches them accountability, leadership, and responsibility!
The Cafe strategy wall serves as a visual reminder for students to use the strategies learned to enhance their comprehension, accuracy, fluency, and expanding vocabulary. Strategies are added to the wall as they are introduced.
Students trade pencils instead of sharpening to minimize distractions.
Growth mindset messages are spread throughout my classroom!
Having students play a role in creating their own classroom rules and goals allows them to hold each other accountable for their actions.
I refer to my table groups as "teams," teaching students the importance of collaboration and teamwork!
My students love the Fuzzy Challenge! Each team has a jar, and fuzzies are added to team's jars when they are caught doing exceptional things! Once the master bucket is empty, the team with the most fuzzies in their jar receives a prize!
My students love the Fuzzy Challenge! Each team has a jar, and fuzzies are added to team's jars when they are caught doing exceptional things! Once the master bucket is empty, the team with the most fuzzies in their jar receives a prize!
When table teams demonstrate exemplary work ethic and stamina, I place a light-up diamond on their table since they are "shining bright like a diamond!" A diamond earns that team three bonus fuzzies for their jar!
When the "I" light is on at my teacher table, students know that, unless there is an emergency, Ms. Sauchak and the students at my table are invisible, and that they are to be independent. "I" stands for invisible and independent! This helps to minimize distractions during guided reading and small group instruction.
When students need to let out tattles, they can write it down and feed it to the Tattle Monster! Sometimes, when tattling becomes excessive, our Tattle Monster starts to grow a Tattle Tongue!
The Tens Frame Challenge is very motivating for my students. When they receive compliments from other teachers or exceptional reports from specials, they earn a spot on their tens frame. When students do not meet expectations, Ms. Sauchak earns a spot. If the students complete their tens frame first, they earn a whole-class reward!
Each day, a student's name is drawn. I watch that student ("Secret Student") extra carefully for the day. If that student is found upholding our classroom expectations all day long, they earn the Secret Student reward at the end of the week. Every Friday, I have a Secret Student Reveal, where the week's winning students are announced via a PowerPoint presentation. The students who earn the reward are invited to have lunch with the teachers that Friday. If any students do not earn the award on their selected day, I have a conference with them and help them set goals so they may try again the following week.
I love furthering my relationships with my students during Secret Student lunches!
What makes a V.I.P.? Being a good example, being your personal best, being a leader, being a good friend, and being a hard worker will give students the opportunity to be the V.I.P.! One student who exemplifies this criterion is selected each day, and is granted special privileges in the classroom and is given access to fun supplies!
What makes a V.I.P.? Being a good example, being your personal best, being a leader, being a good friend, and being a hard worker will give students the opportunity to be the V.I.P.! One student who exemplifies this criterion is selected each day, and is granted special privileges in the classroom and is given access to fun supplies!
One day, this fairy door appeared in our classroom! The Desk Fairy likes to leave raffle tickets for students who do a great job taking care of their supplies!
One day, a fairy door appeared in our classroom! The Desk Fairy likes to leave raffle tickets for students who do a great job taking care of their supplies!
Students love earning reward bracelets to wear for the day!
Students who demonstrate exceptional stamina during independent work time may have a special sign placed on the corner of their desk.
Students who demonstrate exceptional stamina during independent work time may have a special sign placed on the corner of their desk.
"Stamina Spray" is sprayed around the classroom before the students begin their independent work. We are working hard on sustaining tasks for extended periods of time, and Stamina Spray is very motivating!
The students are dusted with "Silent Sprinkles" before entering the hallway. This ensures quiet voices and feet in the hallway!
In first grade, we are working on active listening and not interrupting. When a student blurts at the gathering place, a "Blurt Bead" is added to the jar. The students' goal is to not hit the line by the end of the week!
When I have guest teachers, students work to earn a sticky note so they can tell me about their good choices!
If your book has a boo-boo, do not delay! Visit the book hospital for a quick fix today! Fill out a form to tell me what your book needs, and soon enough it will be healthy to read! When books need repairs, students drop them off at the "Book Hospital," rather than interrupting instructional time to ask for tape.
I post a morning message each day as part of our morning routine.
Flexible Seating Options: Hokki Stools. I had these funded through a Donors Choose project!
Flexible Seating Option: Scoop Rockers
Flexible Seating Option: Cushioned bench
Flexible Seating Option: Cushions
Flexible Seating Option: Reclined chair
Flexible Seating Option: Tee-Pee
Flexible Seating Option: Lap Desks
Rather than students taking bathroom passes in and out of the bathroom, they place the bottle of hand sanitizer on their desk. That way, when I scan the room, I know if anyone is out. Plus, they sanitize their hands upon returning to the classroom!
Sensory tools and fidgets are available for students.
Students/parents love receiving positive notes from their teacher!
I am sure to make students feel special on their birthdays!
Privacy shields are used to help students concentrate during assessments.
The "THINK" acronym is posted around my classroom to remind students to think before choosing their words.
Home
About Me
Meet Ms. Sauchak
Resume
Teaching Philosophy
First Year
Academic Instruction
>
Reader's Workshop
Writer's Workshop
Math Workshop
Science
Social Studies
Classroom Management & Setup
Cultures of Thinking
Formative Assessment
Parent Communication
Social Emotional Learning
Internship Year
Academic Instruction
>
Literacy
Math
Science
Social Studies
Classroom Management
Contact Me