When handling a discipline problem in the classroom, it is important for teachers to take the proper steps towards regaining peace and a positive learning atmosphere. Teachers who lose their cool or who do not follow through appropriately will find themselves faced with increasing numbers of discipline problems. Here are the steps to handle most common classroom discipline issues properly.
Keeping Cool in the Presence of Disruptive Students
When a student misbehaves in class, the first step any teacher needs to take is to remain calm. It is important to do so in order to be able to more quickly discipline the student, set an example for other students and minimize the time spent away from learning.
To remain calm in the face of a misbehaving student, a teacher needs to start by taking a deep breath. This has the effect of calming the teacher as well as providing a moment to collect her thoughts. Additionally, the teacher can clasp her hands together, as this action will transfer frustrated energy back into herself and avoid sending those frustrated feelings towards the students.
Teachers Addressing Misbehavior Appropriately
When a student acts up in class or breaks a class rule, it is important to identify exactly what wrong-doing the student has committed. Addressing this specific behavior will not only reinforce the rule for the individual student, but for the entire class. It will also eliminate any confusion as to why a student is being disciplined.
When addressing misbehavior, it is important for the teacher to do so appropriately. Calling the student out in front of the entire class may not be the best strategy for the teacher as embarrassment may cause the student to act out even further. Instead, the teacher should use prudence and whenever possible, create as little commotion as possible in addressing the behavior.
Proper Methods for Disciplining Students
Once the student has been informed of the behavior that is resulting in discipline, it is time to follow through with the classroom consequence. This consequence needs to have already been established through rules and expectations so that the teacher need not think through what an appropriate disciplinary action would be.
When carrying out discipline, the teacher should minimize conversation with the student. If the student attempts to argue or otherwise engage the teacher in a battle of wills, the less conversation the better. It is acceptable to ignore a student if need be.
Once the discipline has been carried out, the teacher needs to move on. Expecting the student to learn from the interaction and behave appropriately will provide opportunity for all students to behave appropriately without cause for embarrassment. Additionally, this allows the teacher the ability to smoothly enter back into instruction and maximize learning time.
Additional Resources on Classroom Discipline:
Quick Tips for Student Discipline - Collection of resources for classroom management.
When to Ignore Student Behavior - Sometimes ignoring misbehavior is the best way to correct it, learn more in this article.
How to Motivate Your Students - When students are motivated to learn, they act up less. Learn tips on how to motivate your students.
My Classroom Management - find additional tips and strategies on classroom management, including free behavior plan
Jennifer Wagaman - Jennifer is a mother of 2 and has both public, private and administrative experience in the education field.
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