Good classroom discipline strategies are learned by teachers through academic preparation and on the job.Great teachers adapt basic techniques to find the best practices for their classrooms.There are different types of students, classes and experiences that can change these.It can take some time to find the best methods.Great teachers always look for new and innovative ways to connect with their students and make learning fun and safe.
Step 1: Which rules are most important to you?
Think about the rules that will keep your class safe.Rules should reflect this goal.Depending on the age of the students and the type of class you are teaching, the rules will be different.Treat others with respect.Take care of yourself.Take care of the classroom property.To get someone's attention, raise your hand.
Step 2: For your classroom, choose no more than 5 rules.
It will be easier for students to remember them.You don't need to spell out rules for every scenario because these rules will guide behavior in a variety of circumstances.
Step 3: Make sure students are aware of the rules
On the first day of class, cover your classroom's rules.Explain the meaning of each rule.Give examples of how rules are followed.
Step 4: Take a look at consequences.
Students should be told about consequences for breaking the rules.These might happen in stages, such as a warning, then staying after class, and so on.Younger students might be included in a time-out or break.Younger students who are disruptive may need to be removed from a situation.They can come back to the class.
Step 5: The rules should be posted.
You can make a rules poster in the classroom.The rules should be phrased in positive ways.You can write "Treat others with respect" instead of "Don't push other people".
Step 6: Students need to make a commitment to the rules.
The students should come to an agreement with you about the rules.They can either sign a form or raise their hands.They will promise to uphold the rules.Students can take ownership of the rules by buying into them.They should be involved in the development of rules for the classroom.Take time to talk about the rules with students.
Step 7: Don't use verbal communication.
In order to get students attention, hand signals, body signals and other tactics can be used.When it is time to finish an activity, you might turn off the lights.Hand signals work well with primary grades.Students will not get bored if the non-verbal cues are changed frequently.
Step 8: Students are being praised for acting appropriately.
Let students know when they have followed the rules by making a positive example of them.Showing students what good behavior looks like will help them model it.Praise different students.Don't praise the same few students.
Step 9: Early on, get the parents involved.
It is helpful to get in touch with the child's parents if there are discipline problems at the elementary school level.Before the discipline problem becomes serious, think about doing this.A child can be diverted from problematic behavior.
Step 10: Give students tools to interact with each other.
Students should be given tools to handle disagreements.Tools can be used to diffuse potential discipline problems.Discuss how students should ask another student for permission to take something.A student should look at the other student and ask politely.If students disagree with each other, give them tools to do so.Students can explain their opinion calmly if they look at each other and say, "I understand how you feel."
Step 11: Use the CHAMPS model to define behavioral expectations.
The CHAMPS model can be used to define how you expect students to behave in the classroom.For a variety of settings and learning goals, this approach works well.If you want to design how students will complete an activity with good behavior and success, use the following points.With whom?About what?How should students get your attention if they need help?What is the purpose of the activity?Can students get out of their seats?How will students demonstrate their participation?Students should be successful with the activity and good behavior if they complete the CHAMPS expectations.
Step 12: The classroom should have routine and structure.
Students need to know what to expect in class.Middle school students appreciate knowing their boundaries.It's important to follow a routine.Students know what is coming next in your class.
Step 13: Stir things up a lot.
Middle schoolers are easy to get distracted by.It is good to mix up your routine every now and then.They like active learning experiences that are out of the ordinary.
Step 14: Building relationships with your students is important.
Your students want to hear about your life.Relating stories about yourself from time to time helps transform you into a human being that students can relate to.Get to know your students.They will be more likely to respect you if you are invested in their interests.
Step 15: Have a positive disposition.
Every day is a new chance for success in your classroom.At this age, middle schoolers can swing wildly with emotions, and having patience and positivity will make your job more enjoyable.
Step 16: Speak in a normal way.
Students will respond by also speaking in a normal voice with moderate volume when you speak.Don't raise your voice if the classroom is noisy.The students need to quiet down so that you can speak in a normal voice.You could wait until the students are quiet.
Step 17: Rearrange seating is once a month.
Every month, assign new seats to your students.Some behavioral problems can be eliminated by mixing up who sits next to whom.Place a name card on each desk.
Step 18: Make sure your classroom is in order.
Students may act more orderly if they have an orderly classroom.Students may not take you seriously if the classroom is disorganized.
Step 19: Plan out engaging lessons
Discipline issues can be brought on by boring your students.The students may lose attention if your lessons are disorganized or not engaging enough.Students should be kept engaged and focused by delivering lessons that interest them.
Step 20: It's a good idea to be around the classroom.
When students are doing group or individual work, keep moving throughout the classroom.Students notice that you are paying attention to their progress.As students work on problems, give them hints.
Step 21: Students should be treated with respect.
Everyone should be treated with respect.Students are more likely to respect you.
Step 22: Understand the students.
Get to know your students and show interest.You should know their names.Ask questions to find out more about them.You shouldn't become the student's close friend.It is important to maintain a level of distance in order to have authority in the classroom.When dealing with a discipline issue, a student may seek special treatment.
Step 23: Students should be involved and engaged.
Students will take more responsibility in the class when they are engaged in class material.To keep up their involvement, plan out interesting and engaging lessons and incorporate fun activities.To determine how students feel about a particular issue, take simple polls in the class.
Step 24: Students need help working on their social-emotional skills.
The students may need to work on their social-emotional skills even though they are teenagers.Help students solve their problems.If a student misbehaves or upsets another student, help him come up with a solution that will be meaningful.
Step 25: Be consistent and fair.
Treat your students the same.Don't show this to your students if you have favorite students.Discipline should be applied evenly across the board.
Step 26: Don't have a negative attitude.
Every day is a new chance for success in your classroom.Don't assume the worst of your students.
Step 27: Go around the classroom.
When students are doing group or individual work, keep moving throughout the classroom.Students notice that you are paying attention to their progress.As students work on problems, give them hints.
Step 28: Don't humiliate a student.
Don't talk to a student about discipline in a way that humiliates them.Talk to the student outside of the classroom.The student in front of his peers should not be embarrassed by the instance.
Step 29: You should include rules on your syllabus.
Adult students in the college classroom don't need to be told how to behave.To be very clear on your classroom rules is a good idea.You could include rules about class discussions.It is possible to speak respectfully to classmates and refrain from personal attacks.Policies regarding academic dishonesty, technology use, handing in assignments, and so on should be included.Proper wording on college-wide policies can be checked with your institution.
Step 30: Talk about your rules on the first day of class.
The class should be set up with your expectations in mind.Give examples of how the rules will be implemented.
Step 31: Don't look and act silly.
It is important to act professional if you want your students to take you seriously.Students may doubt your authority if you appear too casual.You don't need to be completely inaccessible to students.Students can understand where you are coming from if you reveal things about yourself that make you more of a human.
Step 32: You can get to know students by name.
The college classroom is usually a group of students.The distance between the students and the instructor can make them feel like outsiders.You can make a collegial environment if you know students by name.
Step 33: The discipline issue should be explored before acting.
If a student is causing disruption by arriving late to class, consider possible reasons.Talk with the student at the end of class or during office hours.The student may not be able to get to class on time because of their commute.You could make a special exception or suggest that the student take a different class.
Step 34: There is a paper trail of discipline problems.
Document every step that you have taken if you encounter discipline problems.Discuss your department's procedure for handling discipline problems with your supervisor.
Step 35: The least system is what you should use.
The LEAST system was developed by the National Education Association.If necessary, move to the next step after the first one.The steps to deal with classroom conflict are progressing.Leave it alone.Ignore the minor disruption in the classroom if it will not recur.End the action in a different way.Let the student know that you can see their actions.Raise your eyebrows, wave your hand or walk toward him or her.Attend more fully.The student should tell you about the issue.Who is involved and what is happening?Make sure to spell out directions.The student should be reminded of the rules.After warning the student, plan to follow through with consequences.Treat student progress.Take notes on the discipline issue.Write down what happened, who was involved, and what your response was.
Step 36: Don't be angry.
In a conflict situation, keeping a level head is the best thing to do.Students should not be shown angry or negative emotions.Stay calm and collected.Talk with a normal voice.It is possible to take a few deep breaths to calm yourself down.
Step 37: Conflicts should be addressed away from others.
The student can talk about the conflict in the classroom.The student will no longer be in a physical situation.He will be removed from his peers who may be contributing to the discipline problem.Don't involve other students in the conflict.
Step 38: Don't get into arguments with students.
Be neutral with students.Don't rise to the bait if a student is trying to make you argue.Keep a calm stance.Say, "We will discuss this after class" if the student continues to argue with you.
Step 39: The conflict can be used as a learning moment.
During the next class session, talk about arguments that arise in class.Ask your students how they would have dealt with the argument.They should think about how they can understand different perspectives.When you are talking about sensitive issues in class, this can work well.Students should take a moment to reflect on the issue in silence if the discussion gets heated.Ask them why the discussion got so heated.
Step 40: The other students should be protected.
Keeping the other students safe is your first priority if a student starts to get angry.If there is a problem in your classroom, learn how to stop it.If the situation gets out of hand, you might want to dismiss the class early.
Step 41: Stay calm and neutral.
Don't talk to the student until he calms down.Don't take sides, remain calm.
Step 42: Don't touch the student.
It is possible to put your hand on the student's shoulder to try to calm them down.It is difficult to know what to do when someone is angry.Keep your distance from the student.
Step 43: Send a student to get help.
Ask another student to help if the situation has gotten out of hand.It is possible to diffuse the situation by having another teacher or person of authority.
Step 44: The incident needs to be documented.
If there is a violent or angry student, you should keep a record of what happened.Write down what happened.The names of those involved, as well as details about what happened, should be included.Your administration can get a copy of this account.If a parent wants to see it, keep a copy.
Step 45: Contact the parents of the student.
The student's parents will likely need to be contacted if the incident was severe.Tell them what happened.Do not add in your opinions.Don't let the facts get in the way of sticking to them.
Step 46: Talk to your students about what happened.
The conflict can be used as a teachable moment.It is a good time to assure your students that they are safe in your classroom.