I have been teaching for 5 years, but still battle with how to be effective in the discipline area?

Question

I've heard "don't smile until October" or something similar. Others say to go in with a joking manner and keep it light. I usuallly do the latter, but towards year end, am wondering if maybe I should've started out "hard-nosed" for a month or two to maintain through the year. Give me some advice, either for or against the two scenarios.

Answer 1

I teach first grade.  I love to be able to joke around with my students, interact with them and get to know them as people and individuals, not just some student in my class. I also like it to run smoothly.

I am more of the second, but my students know exactly what is expected and where my boundaries are.  I often give signals as to what should be going on.  I very rarely have to be "hard-nosed"...in my mind uncaring.  i have developed routines that work well for me.  The biggest one I struggle with is giving students time to transition.  I typically count to 30 in my head and then count backwards from 10 aloud to let students know when they should be preprepared for the next activity.  I think you really have to find what works best for you and your class.

This is a delicate balance and is often dependent on the student's personalities.  I had one student who completely shut off if I spoke in a harsh tone.  I quickly learned that a more light hearted tone and a bit of ignoring harmless behavior worked best.  I had another one who would not do what I asked unless I basically demanded him do what was asked.  I did hurt his feelings a couple times, but he was always very willing to talk about it.

I agree, Harry Wong has a great series out there.  Many school libraries even carry his books and tapes for teachers to checkout.

Answer 2

You can be tough and fun at the same time. I start every year by explaining to my students that THEY set the mood for the classroom. I tell them that I love to have fun and joke around, when the time is appropriate. I also tell them that when it is time to work, they have to work. I explain my rules and consequences and I let them know that I will either be the coolest teacher they have or the biggest *****! They get to decide by the way they treat me.  

I make sure to make phone calls at the get go for anyone who was even slightly out of line. If you make a bunch of calls the first few weeks of school, you will almost never have to make them the rest of the year.

The students who were the biggest pain in the butt in other people's classes we often the best in mine. For example, there was one boy who was transferred into my class after the first quarter. He was in 8th grade and had quite a reputation for himself- 17 years old, most likely a drug dealer....

After the first few days in my class, he tried to pull one of his schemes- coming late without a pass and claiming he had been with the counselor. I took him outside and I told him the following: Every adult in this entire school, the principal, Asst principal, teachers, even your counselor, would love nothing more than to see you out of here. Wouldn't it be nice to have just one person who wasn't trying to get rid of you??

He said: Yes it would.

I told him: Well, I am willing to be that person. The one who will stand up for you. BUT, you have to do the right thing in my room. You have to come to class ontime, show me the respect I deserve, and do your work.

Let me tell you, that kid made a B in my class. He also became my "bouncer". If any of the other students dared to try to disrespect me or not listen, he immediately told them to shut up-and since he was who he was- they listened! He basically failed every other class, but not mine. I promise he earned every bit of that B!

The students know I will go to bat for them if they deserve it, but they also know that I won't allow them to get away with any BS! I am strict, but I love to tell jokes and sing and have a good time.

Answer 3

Your schoold doesn't have a disclipline policy to follow?

As long as schools are not going to disclipline the kids, (at the administration level)   and believe me they DON"T, this will always continue.

Have you ever sent kids to office for being bad? What did office do?

Of COURSE kids are going to be bad when they know they can get away with it!!

Answer 4

The best advice I ever got for classroom management was "pick a style that's you, because you can't fake it forever and the kids will wait you out and wear you down." And this teacher was right. My first two years I tried to be this hard-nose authoritarian, but it wasn't me and it never lasted so I always lost control. My turning point was after a day of yelling at my students I returned to work with no voice. That day was probably the best behaved the students had ever been. That's when I developed my own personal style of discipline. I call it the "thank you" style. I never yell or condescend, but instead find every opportunity to say "thank you, sir" or "ma'am" to my students and I treat them as real, legitimate people. I explain to them plainly and directly what I want from them, their choices in the matter and the consequences of those choices. I do not judge them when they are discipline, but rather remind them that this is merely a consequence of their choices. I admit I am "harder" on them during the first nine weeks or so, but only to firmly establish a routine and to keep things fair and consistent. Consistency is the key no matter how you discipline and I garuantee you, teachers that have trouble managing their classrooms aren't consistent in enforcing consequences of poor behavior choices. Hope this helps.

Answer 5

I feel your confusion. But don't listen to anyone else when it comes to how to begin your school year and what personality you should display in your classroom. You MUST be comfortable in your teaching. If being jovial and friendly (but not too friendly) is a comfortable way for you to interact with your students, then do so. If being more stern is better for you, then teach that way. There is no correct way. IF there were, we'd all teach the same way.

Remember, not only do your students have myriad learning styles, but you have your own teaching style. You appear not to have found it yet. Think about the days when you had perfect lessons, when the kids really learned and you completed the day with great satisfaction. How did you teach on those days? I bet you were organized, had your material ready and at hand, had the classroom and the students busy and engaged. How did you feel? How did you act? Those days should be your clue as to what works for you, as an individual, as a teacher.

The only other advice I can give is that sometimes certain classes necessitate different ways of teaching, and sometimes you may need to go beyond your comfort zone to help your students achieve. But generally, if you are comfortable in your teaching style, students will sense your confidence and be more willing to learn. Again, experience will help you, but only you know how you feel when you teach and what type of teaching makes you most comfortable and productive.

Answer 6

I'm not sure if you are familiar with it or not, but there is a fantastic program called Love and Logic.  These guys have effective discipline nailed!  They have a whole section for teachers and how to create a Love and Logic classroom.  I would recommed this approach.  Here's the section of their website for teachers:  http://www.loveandlogic.com/ecom/default...

Answer 7

A lot depends on your personal style, but I think it's usually most successful to be able to vary your mode: strict when you need to be, smiling when you need to show them you like them and they did well.  Too much of either will not be as effective.

I think that you have to be clear about what you expect from the students and have your expectations posted, along with your consequences.  As long as students are following this, you can keep it lighter and joke a little if that is your style.  If they start to stray, you will probably have to go into a stricter mode and use your continuum of consequences.  Some teachers are explicit about it, telling students they have a nice side and a scary side, and asking them to make a good choice about which side they would like to see.  How exactly you present it depends on the age and culture of the students you teach, but for all students it is good to remind them of the rule first.  Take time regularly to review procedures, rules and expectations, and allow for feedback from students at appropriate times.

Harry Wong's book, The First Days of School, is a very good resource:

http://www.amazon.com/First-Days-School-...

Answer 8

check the web on "classroom control and management," you will be able to get some good hints.Here are some tips

1.Try to make your class interesting to be able to retain students attention.

2.When doing activities ensure that students know what they expected to do and keep them occupied

3.Give challenging work to your top students

4. Ask the students to draw up class rules on discipline

5 Reward students who are usually disruptive when they display good behavior egg verbal praise

6 Appoint disruptive students to be group leaders

7.Regularly remind them of importance of good behavior

maybe the students can take turn to talk to the class of any aspects of good behavior that will help class discipline

Answer 9

Remember that you are not your students' friend.  You are the teacher.  There will be some kids that you click with and others that you don't - it's not something that you can create artificially.  If you set up rules in the classroom, make sure students know that those rules are too be obeyed, don't slack off on them.  

I think one thing my parents both learned in the classroom is that the admin. doesn't support even the school's rules so it might be up to you alone to maintain order in your classroom.  You can be positive without having to be chummy.

Answer 10

I am familiar with your dilemma.  The problem is that not being a disciplinarian by nature, I have never found a system I can implement consistantly, until now.  This year I have been able to work out a system that I think I can implement successfully in the fall.

I bought some neon colored index cards and some labels for my printer.  I typed out a message that reads, "This is a written reminder of the rule(s) you are are breaking.  If I sign this card, it becomes your pass to lunch detention".

The first time, I scribble the name of the student on a card, and give the student a nonverbal warning or verbal warning to the offender ("the look" or call their name).

The second time, I set it on their desk.  

The third time, I sign the card and they bring it to me at lunch.  I do make a check on my seating chart to remind myself that a child needs to come at lunch.   I have them sign the card, and remind them of my expectations.  I also tell them to have a parent sign the card, and bring it back the next day.  If they get three cards, I call home.  If they "forget" to come, I make out a duplicate card and write a note that they did not report for detention, and give it to them the next day.

There was a teacher at school this year your had one of the student aides bring reminder notices to students right before lunch, to remind them to bring their card to detention.  

I hated running to the board and writing down names and adding checkmarks so I was inconsistant.  And the neon index cards are easy to see.

Answer 11

I am firm the first three months. I tell the students they get to decide what type of teacher they want...good then give me reasons to be good.. bad.. then be prepared for a classroom on lockdown.

I put the responsibility for self control and discipline on the students..and its no longer a fight for good behavior.

Besides kids are learning routine, class structure and expectations the first months....so be firm...

lightening up is a reward for earning trust and good behavior .

Answer 12

I am not a teacher but i used to be a student myself decade ago.  Just ask yourself, what type of teacher you like best, this will answer your question.  

A teacher has to be high in EQ.  You need to tackle  not only IQ but also the emotion of students.  Different child requires different method of discipline.  It is like Teacher and disciple relationship.

Answer 13

Remember you did not give examples.

You could be the only friend they have.

No one can reach every student.

I was lax on discipline but my students would do almost any thing to get to my class and they loved learning.  Most had hard lives at home and were considered uneducable.  I was there to teach and loved it.  The kids I had just got lost in the system.  You just do the best you can and remember you may be all they have and they are the only things we have to make responsible citizens out of.