Christina Sauchak
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Click on the photographs to learn more about my classroom management strategies!
The Tattle Monster will listen to you when you have something to say. Just talk to him or write it down, and tell what happened today… But if anyone is hurt, please do not delay! Come to me so I can help, and make sure you're okay! The Tattle Monster is a place children can let out their tattles and get things off their chest. They may tattle anonymously, or write their name if they would like a teacher to get back with them regarding an issue.
The Tattle Monster will listen to you when you have something to say. Just talk to him or write it down, and tell what happened today... But if anyone is hurt, please do not delay! Come to me so I can help, and make sure you're okay! The Tattle Monster is a place children can let out their tattles and get things off their chest. They may tattle anonymously, or write their name if they would like a teacher to get back with them regarding an issue.
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!
Each student gets to use the V.I.P. supplies to decorate a page in the V.I.P. journal. They also get to replace their literacy box with the "V.I.P. Luggage" for the day!
We are quiet critters! We only come around when you are working quietly and do not make a sound! We like to sit on your desk and watch you from afar, but if you start to make some noise, we'll run back to our soundproof jar!
Some of our quiet critters are becoming quite spoiled! Some students even feed them dessert--Their ice cream cone erasers!
Some of our quiet critters are becoming quite spoiled! This one has a popsicle eraser for dessert and is enjoying some eraser television from his eraser sofa!
Some of our quiet critters are becoming quite spoiled! This one has a cupcake eraser for dessert and is enjoying some eraser video games!
The Desk Fairy visits students who take great care of their supplies and keep their papers organized properly. Students who receive a visit from the Desk Fairy trade their card in for a "Whoo-Ray Ticket," which is entered into a school-wide raffle at the end of each week.
We love recharging with kinesthetic brain breaks from Go Noodle! These breaks include Zumba, dancing, singing, and relaxation.
We collaborate as a team to set goals and norms for our classroom. We hold each other accountable for upholding these each day!
Bouncyballs.org helps manage our noise level. The balls are sensitive to the noise that comes through the classroom microphone. The more noise there is, the higher the balls bounce. If the balls do not come above the line, a reward such as Go Noodle is earned.
The students are dusted with "Silent Sprinkles" before entering the hallway. This ensures quiet voices and feet in the hallway!
"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!
Stamina is doing anything for a long time period without getting too tired or giving up. We work hard every day to build our stamina, and "Stamina Spray" helps motivate us!
Students who demonstrate exceptional stamina during independent work time may have a special sign placed on the corner of their desk.
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.
Secret Student winners enjoy lunch with the teachers on Friday afternoons! We play a fun game and enjoy a special treat.
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.
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. This is the form students stick in their book!
Chilly the penguin has waddled north of the equator! Uh-oh! We must bring him some cold snow! Be on your best behavior today at school, so you can help keep Chilly nice and cool! During our penguin research unit, I created this incentive. Students had the goal of earning 25 snowflakes before the holiday break. Snowflakes were earned for building stamina, smooth transitions, compliments from other teachers, students caught being good friends, etc. Students knew if they earned 25 snowflakes, there would be a special surprise!
Chilly the penguin has waddled north of the equator! Uh-oh! We must bring him some cold snow! Be on your best behavior today at school, so you can help keep Chilly nice and cool! During our penguin research unit, I created this incentive. Students had the goal of earning 25 snowflakes before the holiday break. Snowflakes were earned for building stamina, smooth transitions, compliments from other teachers, students caught being good friends, etc. Students knew if they earned 25 snowflakes, there would be a special surprise!
The Chilly the Penguin surprise was me dressing up as a penguin at the holiday party! The kids got a kick out of it!
The Chilly the Penguin surprise was me dressing up as a penguin at the holiday party! The kids got a kick out of it, and even wanted to feed me some fish!
Red, yellow, and green cups are used to encourage students to problem solve. Rather than immediately jumping out of their seat, they are to place their cups on the corner of their desk and wait for assistance. If they do not need any help, their green cup sits on top. If they have a question, but it is not urgent, yellow goes on top. If they have a question that is keeping them from moving on with their work, then their red cup is to be on top. I scan the room and address red cups first, then yellow, and check in with everyone working with a green cup as well.
Red, yellow, and green cups are used to encourage students to problem solve. Rather than immediately jumping out of their seat, they are to place their cups on the corner of their desk and wait for assistance. If they do not need any help, their green cup sits on top. If they have a question, but it is not urgent, yellow goes on top. If they have a question that is keeping them from moving on with their work, then their red cup is to be on top. I scan the room and address red cups first, then yellow, and check in with everyone working with a green cup as well.
I created "Cool Down Cubes" for a student who has constant outbursts and negative self-talk. When I notice him getting upset, I ask him to pick a cube to help him cool down. These coping strategies help him control himself and move on with his day in a positive manner!
When students go above and beyond or are making nice progress, I like to send positive notes home via snail mail! Every student will receive a note before the end of the school year, as I have found many things to be proud of in every single child!
I asked my students to think of comments that are hurtful. As they said these mean words, I tore index cards in half and let them fall to the floor. When I didn't have any more cards left, I asked them to say nice things, or things a good friend would say. As they said kind words, I picked the cards up one by one, until they made a new pile. I showed my students how much harder it was to rip this stack in half. We discussed how words can hurt and how we should always strive to build each other up, not break each other down.
"Before you speak, think and be smart. It's hard to fix a wrinkled heart." We discussed how words can hurt and how we should always strive to build each other up, not break each other down.
"Before you speak, think and be smart. It's hard to fix a wrinkled heart." We discussed how words can hurt and how we should always strive to build each other up, not break each other down.
My students signed pledges to "Be a hero! Not a bully!"
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