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Written by Chris Drew (PhD) | July 17, 2024

Effective discipline involves setting clear expectations, maintaining consistent consequences, and fostering positive relationships with students. It aims to promote respect, responsibility, and cooperation among students, ensuring that the classroom operates smoothly.

By implementing well-thought-out discipline strategies, teachers can minimize disruptions, enhance student engagement, and support academic success.

CLASSROOM DISCIPLINE STRATEGIES

1. Clear (And High) Expectations

Set clear rules and expectations from the start. Clearly communicating what is expected helps students understand the boundaries and reduces confusion. It also allows students to know what behaviors are acceptable and what consequences they will face for misbehaving. It’s also important to ensure the expectations are high so students can strive to do their best, not strive for mediocrity.

2. Consistent Consequences

Apply classroom consequences consistently for rule-breaking. Consistency in consequences ensures fairness and helps students understand the link between their actions and the outcomes. This approach also reinforces the seriousness of the rules and promotes a predictable environment.

3. Positive Reinforcement

Reward good behavior to encourage it. Positive reinforcement, such as praise or rewards, motivates students to continue exhibiting desirable behaviors. This strategy can help build a positive classroom atmosphere where students feel recognized for their efforts.

4. Proximity Control

Move closer to students who are misbehaving. Proximity control is a non-verbal way to address minor disruptions without interrupting the flow of the lesson. By moving closer to the disruptive student, the teacher can signal that they are aware of the behavior, often leading to self-correction.

5. Non-Verbal Signals

Use gestures to signal students to correct behavior. Non-verbal signals, such as eye contact, hand signals, or facial expressions, can effectively communicate the need for behavior change without disrupting the class. This subtle approach helps maintain the flow of the lesson while addressing issues promptly.

6. Seating Arrangement

Arrange seats to minimize distractions. Strategic seating can help manage behavior by separating students who may disrupt each other and placing easily distracted students closer to the teacher. This arrangement fosters a more focused and conducive learning environment.

7. Classroom Jobs

Assign jobs to give students a sense of responsibility. Classroom jobs empower students by giving them roles that contribute to the functioning of the class, fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility. This strategy can also reduce misbehavior by keeping students engaged and accountable.

8. Teach Self-Regulation

Help students learn to manage their emotions. Teaching self-regulation skills equips students with the tools to control their impulses, stay calm under stress, and make thoughtful decisions. These skills are crucial for maintaining a positive classroom environment and promoting personal growth.

9. Model Behavior

Demonstrate the behavior you expect. Teachers who model respectful, responsible, and positive behavior set a powerful example for students to follow. By consistently showing the desired behaviors, teachers reinforce expectations and create a standard for students to emulate.

10. Routine

Establish a consistent daily routine. A predictable routine helps students feel secure and understand what is expected of them at different times of the day. Consistency in the schedule reduces uncertainty and anxiety, leading to better behavior and a more organized classroom.

11. Engaging Lessons

Keep students engaged with interesting lessons. Engaging and interactive lessons capture students’ attention, reducing opportunities for disruptive behavior. When students are interested and invested in the material, they are more likely to participate positively and stay focused.

12. Quiet Signals

Use a specific signal to gain students’ attention quietly. Implementing a quiet signal, like a hand raise or a specific sound, can quickly and efficiently get students’ attention without raising your voice. This helps maintain a calm classroom environment and minimizes disruptions.

13. Restorative Practices

Encourage students to make amends for their actions. Restorative practices focus on repairing harm and restoring relationships rather than just punishing misbehavior. This approach helps students understand the impact of their actions and promotes a more empathetic and supportive classroom community.

14. Time-Out

Use time-out as a way for students to cool down. A time-out provides students with a designated space to calm down and reflect on their behavior away from the rest of the class. This strategy can help prevent escalation and allows students to return to the classroom ready to learn.

15. Parental Involvement

Communicate regularly with parents about behavior. Keeping parents informed about their child’s behavior helps create a support system for the student and reinforces the importance of good behavior at home and school. Regular communication can also help identify and address issues early on.

16. Behavior Contracts

Create agreements with students about expected behavior. Behavior contracts are formal agreements between the teacher and student that outline specific behavior goals and the consequences for not meeting them. These contracts provide clear guidelines and encourage students to take responsibility for their actions.

17. Praise In Public, Correct In Private

Praise good behavior publicly and correct bad behavior privately. Public praise reinforces positive behavior and motivates other students to follow suit, while private correction prevents embarrassment and maintains the student’s dignity. This approach fosters a positive classroom environment and respectful relationships.

18. Student Choice

Give students some choice in their activities to increase engagement. Allowing students to choose from a selection of tasks or activities gives them a sense of control and investment in their learning. When students feel they have a say in their education, they are more likely to be engaged and cooperative.

19. Morning Meetings

Start the day with a meeting to set a positive tone. Morning meetings provide an opportunity to build community, discuss the day’s agenda, and address any concerns. This routine helps establish a sense of belonging and prepares students mentally for the day ahead.

20. Goal Setting

Help students set and work towards personal goals. Goal setting encourages students to take ownership of their behavior and academic progress. By setting and striving for achievable goals, students develop a sense of purpose and motivation to improve their conduct and performance.

21. Logical Consequences

Use consequences that are directly related to the misbehavior. Logical consequences are outcomes that are directly tied to the student’s actions, making the connection between behavior and result clear. This approach helps students understand the impact of their behavior and encourages them to make better choices.

22. Classroom Rewards

Use a reward system for the whole class. Implementing a system where the entire class can earn rewards for collective good behavior fosters teamwork and a sense of shared responsibility. This strategy can motivate students to support each other and maintain a positive classroom environment.

23. Reflection Time

Allow students time to reflect on their behavior. Providing students with designated time to think about their actions and the consequences can promote self-awareness and personal growth. Reflection helps students understand their behavior patterns and develop strategies for improvement.

24. Teach Social Skills

Explicitly teach skills like cooperation and communication. Teaching social skills equips students with the tools they need to interact positively with peers and adults. These skills are essential for creating a respectful and collaborative classroom environment.

25. Calm Down Corner

Have a designated area where students can go to calm down. A calm down corner is a space in the classroom where students can go to manage their emotions and regain composure. This area provides a safe and supportive environment for students to de-escalate and return to learning ready to participate.

REFERENCES

Burden, P. R. (2020). Classroom Management: Creating a Successful K-12 Learning Community. Wiley.

Carr, D. L. (2021). An Introduction to Effective Classroom Management: Introduction to Effective Classroom Management for Elementary Teachers and Senior. Independently Published.

Charles, C. & Senter, G. (2005). Building classroom discipline. Boston: Pearson.

Espelage, D. L., & Sabornie, E. J. (Eds.). (2022). Handbook of Classroom Management. Taylor & Francis.

Lettink, M. (2020). Development and validation of a questionnaire on classroom management of Dutch secondary education teachers (Master’s thesis, University of Twente).

Nelsen, J., & Gfroerer, K. (2017). Positive Discipline Tools for Teachers: Effective Classroom Management for Social, Emotional, and Academic Success. Harmony/Rodale.

Reynolds, L. (2020). Classroom Management: This Book Includes: Classroom Management Success + Classroom Discipline. Sorry, Dudes… I Teach Like a Champion (Student Engagement Tools). Simone Vigna.

Wong, H. K., Wong, R. T., Jondahl, S. F., & Ferguson, O. F. (2018). The Classroom Management Book. Harry K. Wong Publications, Incorporated.