General Classroom Discipline Tips |
A Letter Home Although this may not work with every child, it may be appropriate for some. When a child will not behave for you and you are at your wits end, have them write a "Dear Mom and Dad" letter. In the letter the child has to explain what they did to get in trouble in class. For example: "Dear Mom, I can't behave today. I haven't finished any of my work because I have been visiting with my friends. Can you offer any help to fix this problem?" The child asks the parents for suggestions or help and the parents respond the next day.
As part of my classroom management routine, my students turn a card when they do not meet their responsibilities for the day. Each student has a library card holder envelope on their desk which holds 4 cards: white-begin each day with a new start; turn to green—we all make mistakes (1 mistake), turn to yellow—caution, think before you act. Take five minutes out to record the problem and resolve not to repeat the offense; turn to red—three strikes you're out. A trip to the principal. Or, the student makes the phone call home to describe the problem and set up a conference with the teacher. During our last ten minutes of the day, my students must record something that reflects the lessons or what they found interesting as their ticket out. I have split the column and they must color in their behavior chart circle to record the color of their behavior card for the day. This goes home every Friday to be signed by a parent and returned the following Monday. This is a great communication, not only does it give a little dialogue of what the student is learning in school, but also how the student's behavior was for the week! Time Away Have an area or desk for students to go who are causing a disturbance, or who cannot focus because of where they are sitting.
Teach conflict resolution skills early on in the year. The skills: listening, empathy, expressing strong feelings without insult, brainstorming a mutually agreeable solution. Students need to know how to handle conflicts fairly and without violence.
Although it may be quite difficult to do at times, try to respond in a calm and matter-of-fact manner when you are disciplining a student. It may help to imagine yourself as a disinterested third party looking at the situation from the "outside." Responding to a student in this way does several things. If the student has been trying to "push your buttons," he or she will realize there are no "buttons" to push. It usually diffuses the situation and prevents it from escalating. If the student is looking for an argument, they will be thwarted as it takes two to argue. Finally, it makes you look no-nonsense and fair in front of the other students.
Some teachers are hesitant about calling parents. Do not be! Call parents if there is a problem with a particular child. Tell the parent what is happening as objectively as possible (without commenting on the character of the child). Enlist the parent's help. Promise to keep in touch—and do. If the situation gets better, call the parent to report the improvement. Keep a log of calls made, what was talked about, and what course of action was decided upon. Make note also of the results (both positive and negative).
Do not threaten, nag, or plead with students. Give instructions in a matter-of-fact, no-nonsense tone. If the student does not comply after the second request, take appropriate action.
Have either written down or in your mind a long list of possible consequences that are appropriate for certain levels of misbehavior. This way you will avoid having to implement a harsher penalty than called for.
One of the worst things you can do with regard to classroom management and discipline is to be inconsistent. Allowing a student to "get away with" a rule violation one day and then punishing him or her the next for the same infraction not only confuses the students but is detrimental to your overall discipline plan. Students do not know what to expect and therefore are more willing to "push the limits." Imagine for a moment that every single time your car exceeded the speed limit it automatically shut down, causing you to have to pull over to the side of the road. How often do you think you would exceed the speed limit? Now, imagine that your car only occasionally shut down when you exceeded the speed limit. Today you are running late for an important meeting. Would you be tempted to speed—just a bit? Do you have an idea, tip, technique, or solution you would like to share? Please send it to us in the body of an . (Do not send as an attachment.) |
