Discipline: The Basics

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 in the classroom.

Know school guidelines for discipline procedures.



Be fair, positive and consistent. Be the kind of person young people can trust – firm, fair, friendly, courteous, enthusiastic and confident.



Provide a list of standards and consequences to parents and students. Make sure they are consistent with district and building policy.



Keep your classroom orderly. Maintain a cheerful and attractive classroom rather than a disorderly one which might encourage disruptive behavior.



Get to know your students. Learn their names quickly and use them in and out of class. You will soon develop a sixth sense for anticipating trouble.



Begin class on time and in a businesslike manner. Have a beginning activity (i.e. journal writing, problem solution, etc.) students do each day while you take care of roll, lunch count and other business.



Make learning fun, interesting and relevant to the students’ lives. Poor planning can provide disruptions. Praise good work, good responses and good behavior.



Don’t threaten or use sarcasm. Never use threats to enforce discipline. Never humiliate a student.



Avoid arguing with students. Discussions about class work are invaluable, but arguments can become emotional encounters.



Let the 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, whether or not it pertains directly to lesson.



Treat students with the same respect you expect from them.



Keep your voice at a normal level. If "disaster" strikes and you trip over the wastebasket, don’t be afraid to laugh at yourself.



Grade assignments and return them as soon as possible.



Give reasonable assignments. Don’t use school work as punishment.



Keep rules simple. Establish as few classroom rules as possible, and keep them simple.



If you "blow" the first week, don’t worry. Just re-evaluate your rules and policies, tell the class you are making some changes and be consistent from then on.