How To Handle Discipline Problems With Effective Classroom Management

how to handle discipline problems with effective classroom management =====================================================================

How To Handle Discipline Problems with Effective Classroom Management
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By Melissa Kelly, About.com
Discipline problems are listed as the major concern for most new
teachers. What can teachers expect and how can they effectively handle
discipline problems? Classroom management combined with an effective
discipline plan is the key. This how to will help you see some
important steps in dealing with discipline problems that may arise in
your classroom.
Difficulty: Average
Time Required: Varies
Here's How:
1.
Begin each class period with a positive attitude and high
expectations. If you expect your students to misbehave or you
approach them negatively, you will get misbehavior. This is an
often overlooked aspect of classroom management.
2.
Come to class prepared with lessons for the day. In fact, overplan
with your lessons. Make sure to have all your materials and
methods ready to go. Reducing downtime will help maintain
discipline in your classroom.
3.
Work on making transitions between parts of lessons smooth. In
other words, as you move from whole group discussion to
independent work, try to minimize the disruption to the class.
Have your papers ready to go or your assignment already written on
the board. Many disruptions occur during transitional times during
lessons.
4.
Watch your students as they come into class. Look for signs of
possible problems before class even begins. For example, if you
notice a heated discussion or problem before class starts, try to
deal with the problem then. Allow the students a few moments to
talk with you or with each other before you start your lesson to
try and work things out. Separate them if necessary and try to
gain agreement that during your class period at least they will
drop whatever issue they have.
5.
Have a posted discipline plan that you follow consistently for
effective classroom management. Depending on the severity of the
offense, this should allow students a warning or two before
punishment begins. Your plan should be easy to follow and also
should cause a minimum of disruption in your class. For example,
your discipline plan might be - First Offense: Verbal Warning,
Second Offense: Detention with teacher, Third Offense: Referral.
6.
Meet disruptions that arise in your class with in kind measures.
In other words, don't elevate disruptions above their current
level. Your discipline plan should provide for this, however,
sometimes your own personal issues can get in the way. For
example, if two students are talking in the back of the room and
your first step in the plan is to give your students a verbal
warning, don't stop your instruction to begin yelling at the
students. Instead, have a set policy that simply saying a
student's name is enough of a clue for them to get back on task.
Another technique is to ask one of them a question.
7.
Try to use humor to diffuse situations before things get out of
hand. Note: Know your students. The following example would be
used with students you know would not elevate the situation to
another level. For example, if you tell your students to open
their books to page 51 and three students are busy talking, do not
immediately yell at them. Instead, smile, say their names, and ask
them kindly if they could please wait until later to finish their
conversation because you would really like to hear how it ends and
you have to get this class finished. This will probably get a few
laughs but also get your point across.
8.
If a student becomes verbally confrontational with you, remain
calm and remove them from the situation as quickly as possible. Do
not get into yelling matches with your students. There will always
be a winner and a loser which sets up a power struggle that could
continue throughout the year. Further, do not bring the rest of
the class into the situation by involving them in the discipline
or the writing of the referral.
9.
If a student becomes physical, remember the safety of the other
students is paramount. Remain as calm as possible; your demeanor
can sometimes diffuse the situation. You should have a plan for
dealing with violence that you discussed with students early in
the year. You should use the call button for assistance. You could
also have a student designated to get help from another teacher.
Send the other students from the room if it appears they could get
hurt. If the fight is between two students, follow your school's
rules concerning teacher involvement as many want teachers to stay
out of fights until help arrives.
10.
Keep an anecdotal record of major issues that arise in your class.
This might be necessary if you are asked for a history of
classroom disruptions or other documentation.
11.
Let it go at the end of the day. Classroom management and
disruption issues should be left in class so that you can have
some down time to recharge before coming back to another day of
teaching.
Tips:
1.
Recognize the warning signs of disruption. Obviously this comes
with practice of classroom management. However, some signs are
fairly obvious.
2.
Sarcasm should be used sparingly if at all. If you do use it, make
sure you know the student who you are using it with well. Many
students do not have the capacity to know that sarcasm is not
meant to be taken literally. Further, other students could find
your sarcasm as inflammatory which would defeat your purpose of
greater classroom management.
3.
Consistency and fairness are essential for effective classroom
management. If you ignore disruptions one day and come down hard
on them the next, you will not be seen as consistent. You will
lose respect and disruptions will probably increase. Further, if
you are not fair in your punishments, making sure to treat all
students fairly then students will quickly realize this and lose
respect for you. You should also start each day fresh, not holding
disruptions against students and instead expecting them to behave.
4.
It's easier to get easier. Start the year very strict so that
students see that you are willing to do what it takes to have your
classroom under control. They will understand that you expect
learning to occur in your room. You can always let up as the year
goes on.
5.
Rules must be easy to understand and manageable. Make sure that
you don't have such a large number of rules that your students
can't consistently follow them.