Description

I believe that the best disciplinary strategy relies on one word: expectation. When a teacher walks into a class he/she has certain expectations from the students. When the students enter, they too have expectations about the teacher, the curriculum and the classroom climate. How do the teacher and students work together to meet each other’s expectations? The answer lies in a clearly stated classroom management policy.

Most classrooms and schools now have a “PRIDE” program that sets the climate expectation of everyone within the school. This usually includes respect, positive thinking, etc. Classrooms I have visited tend to have these displayed prominently in the room to act as a reminder. Teachers can take the opportunity to add to this by also posting their own rules for the class. For example, the class that I am currently in has a list of five rules displayed with a five step program posted alongside that describes the actions taken when a student breaks the rules. This includes: verbal warning, student/teacher conference, detention, conference with parents, referral to vice principal. This is displayed directly next to the PRIDE poster. When the student fails to meet expectations of the class and school, they know exactly how the teacher will react. By keeping this consistency in the classroom as it relates to disciplinary management, the students will not be surprised by a teacher’s response. They know what to expect and the power to choose to continue the bad behavior is their responsibility. The consistency in the classroom provided by the management plan gives the students and teacher structure that allows for the class to run smoothly on most days. On the days when the program needs to be followed, the teacher can maintain a calm demeanor by referring to the program. I haven’t witnessed any student pushing the program past step three; apparently step four is too far for middle school students to travel.

Best Disciplinary Strategy

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