Classroom+Management

=How To Solve a Problem= Students are taught how to go through the following steps to independently solve conflicts.

Once problem is successfully solved, they get to fill out a link on the friendship chain.

A smaller sign hangs in the doorway, facing students who are out at recess.

At the end of the year we photograph the whole class holding the looong friendship chain! Then we divide it equally and put a label on it- every child gets to bring home a section! ="Saved" seats= If a child is leaving a seat (bathroom or to meet with teacher) and intends on returning, have him/ her TURN the chair around backwards! This has saved MANY tears and mistaken deletions of computer projects!

=Airplane seats= (or bus seats!)

We LOVE our rainbow carpet!! Using the rainbow carpet for partner discussions, children face each other to create 'window' and 'aisle' seating. The middle row children get dispersed to new spots.


 * Assigned seats on the carpet are referred to as Listening Seats or Listening Spots.

Creating smooth routines





Snack scissors hanging on a paper-clip chain above a trash can- allows students to cut open wrappers.

Basket on wall holds extra sporks and straws (left over unused utensils from Hot Lunch) for those who forgot one.

= = =Hygeine= Hand pumps of soap are dispersed around the room.
 * Keep one near carpet area. If a finger goes in a nose or mouth, I put a squirt of soap in their hand so they HAVE to wash them! The inconvenience of getting up multiple times to rinse off discourages many from doing it!
 * One near each center- used to dismiss students from activity to a snack.
 * One near door. It is the 'ticket' to come in from recess to snack. A squirt goes in the hands and they rub together as they walk to the sink to rinse.