Improving
Discipline... Some Suggestions
1.
Be warm, kind, and friendly--but never familiar.
Do not tell students your troubles or too much about your family life. Do not
tell off-color jokes. You are a professional.
2. Have
rules that are fair and cover all types of subjects.
Be sure that any set of rules includes, "Students will follow
instructions given by the teacher, office, or any other
employee of the district." Put your rules in writing and
provide copies for students and parents. Have them signed by both. Keep copies
of signed rules on file.
3. Enforce
rules fairly and consistently.
Use a checklist like the one found in this booklet or a system of merits and
demerits.
4. Stay in
charge.
Be alert and observant. Use that "teacher look" whenever possible.
Maintain eye contact with students. Believe it or not, you can even
"walk" with your eyes. Never look down when disciplining a student.
Walk. Most students after the third grade do not want you near them. A walk
around the room will solve many potential problems. Remember that you are the
only one who has the right to walk around the room anytime you wish.
Besides, a moving target is harder to hit!
5. Raise
your eyebrow--never your voice.
Never argue with a student. If the problem continues, lower your voice and keep
repeating your instructions. Understand that silence is an important tool. Think
of Clint Eastwood when he said, "Make my day."
The madder
you get, the lower and slower your voice should become. If the student continues
to argue, simply say, "We will discuss this later." Then walk
away.
6. Meet
students one at a time.
Stand at the door when students arrive. Greet each by name. Never scold a
student in front of the class. If a student cannot be corrected by looking at
him or standing next to him or through simple instructions, ask the student to
step outside or to see you after class. Don't over-react if the
student says something under his/her breath. Your time will come, and everyone
in the room knows it.
7. Count to
five.
Learn to set limits. Many students need deadlines. Counting to five
after instructions have been given is a good way to reinforce instructions or to
get students on task quickly
8. Keep students
busy and involved.
Students get bored when they have to do the same thing for too long or if they
are required to do the same things over and over. The greater the variety of
activities, the better. Make learning fun. Involve students with hands-on
activities or short group work sessions. Remember, children learn best by doing.
Even a few minutes with nothing to do can lead to student misbehavior.
9. Work at
discipline as hard as you work at teaching.
Teaching good discipline is just as important as teaching the subject matter. In
addition, poor discipline in your classroom can ruin your day, your job, and
even your career.
10. Have the
attitude that violations of your rules will not be tolerated.
No student should be allowed to continually disrupt the education of others. A
strong, consistent attitude is more important than what sex you are, how tall
you may be, or how many muscles you have. Discipline is a state of mind.