Helping
students to govern their own behavior in ways that help them learn is a
long-standing goal of all teachers. There are a number of ways in which a
teacher can promote good discipline.
Be friendly. Be the kind of person children like and trust; be firm, fair, friendly,
courteous, enthusiastic, confident; keep your sense of humor.
Keep your classroom orderly. A disorderly one might encourage disruptive behavior
Get to know your students. You will soon develop almost a sixth sense for
anticipating trouble before it begins, and don't act as though you expect
trouble or you will almost certainly encounter some.
Make learning fun. Make education interesting, and relevant to the students’ lives. Poor
planning and a full curriculum can provoke disruption.
Don't use threats to enforce discipline. Never
humiliate a child.
Avoid arguing with students. Discussions about class work are invaluable, but
arguments can become emotional encounters.
Let students know you care. Determine jointly with the class what is acceptable
in terms of behavior and achievement and what is not. Show interest in what
students say.
Develop class rules. Use approximately five rules. State them clearly.
1.
Make them
short and easy to memorize.
2.
State
them positively.
3.
Get a
commitment (show of hands, vote, contract, bulletin board display).
4.
Share
your expectations.
Establish a plan with no more than five consequences for behavior. A
warning, a time-out, a longer time-out, calling the parents, going to the
principal. Make sure your students know and understand the consequences.
Notice good behavior. Children need to know that they are doing well, in
addition to knowing the things they need to change. Catch children when they are
sharing, helping other children with hard tasks, and dealing well with
frustration--and immediately compliment them.
Give reasonable assignments. Don't use schoolwork as punishment. And give clear
directions.
Be fair to your students. Here are some ways to help you win the respect of
your students.
1.
Don't
refuse to let a student tell you his or her side of the situation. Be willing to
consider mitigating circumstances.
2.
Don't
talk about the misdeeds of students except to those who have a right to know.
Don't openly compare one pupil to another.
3.
Apologize
if you've treated a student unjustly.
4.
Make sure
punishments are appropriate for the misbehavior, and explain to the student why
he or she is being punished.
5.
Be
consistent in application of discipline and just in your requirements and
assignments.
