subject: Tips to Improve Classroom Discipline [print this page] Tips to Improve Classroom Discipline Tips to Improve Classroom Discipline
Do you struggle with classroom discipline from time to time? If so, you aren't alone. Many teachers have a difficult time keeping their students in line. Try some of these time-tested tips and you should find your classroom functioning much more smoothly.
1. You have to be fair. The first thing you need to know about classroom discipline is that you must treat every student the same. Make sure they all get the same punishment for doing something wrong even if it is your best student. If you have favorites this will show through time and time again.
2. Make sure your students are well aware of the classroom rules. This is something that many people forget to do, and it comes back on them soon enough. Do not have a long list of rules. Instead, make a few rules that are simple to follow. You may even want to post these in your classroom.You can either make up your own rules or you can buy any of a number of different posters that display standard Classroom Rules.
3. Make your consequences simple to understand. This way, your students will know what they are getting into should they break a rule. These have to be every bit as clear as the rules.
4. Be consistent. You cannot enforce the rules today and let them slide tomorrow. You have to be consistent with the way you are going to enforce your rules. This way you are taken seriously and your students know what to expect, day after day.
5. Use humor. You don't have to be serious at all times. If things are getting out of control you can throw in a joke to ease the tension. This does not mean you should forget about classroom discipline. It just means that you are trying to lighten the mood to keep everybody happy.
6. Do not confront students in front of the entire class. You do not want to embarrass a student in front of others you will regret this. Instead, take them aside when time allows and explain the situation and what they did wrong. This makes the process much easier for both you and your students.
7. You don't want classroom discipline to interfere with teaching. In other words, deal with problems as quickly as they can and then move on. If you spend too much time on classroom discipline you will not be teaching as much as you should.
8. Start out difficult, but loosen up once you get a better feel for your students. You don't want to get soft, but there are times when you can give your students a little more leeway.
9. Your class may not need to be disciplined, so don't go into the year thinking that this is the case. Instead, have a positive mindset from the start and go from there. If you assume that your class is going to behave you may be pleasantly surprised when you are right.
10. Make sure you have enough activities to keep your students occupied. Let's face it: trouble usually starts when students have too much free time on their hands. If you keep students busy you are bettering the chance of them staying out of trouble.
With these ten classroom discipline tips you should be able to better handle your students.
