How to Create a 3-Part Discipline Plan That Will Be Effective in Your Classroom

If you walk into a classroom where all students are engaged in the learning, on task, and the teacher is joyfully facilitating learning, it may seem like classroom discipline is not needed. However, in order to achieve an efficient classroom with a great atmosphere, a discipline plan must be carried out continuously. Developing a 3-part discipline plan that covers all aspects of the classroom will ensure that your classroom is effective and well managed at all times.

Things You'll Need

• Expectations list
• Consequences list
• Procedures list
• Expectations display
• Seating charts
• Sticky notes
• Behavior checklist and contract

Instructions

Establish Expectations

1. Develop a list of classroom expectations. These can be teacher created, or you can also ask for student input. Five to ten rules is a manageable number to remember and should cover the desired classroom behaviors. Word the rules in a positive manner. For example, "Students will be prepared for class," instead of "Do not forget supplies." Display the expectations.

2. Develop consequences for when the rules are violated. Kay Burke, author of "What to Do with the Kid Who...: Developing Cooperation, Self-Discipline, and Responsibility in the Classroom," shares four types of consequences: restoration, where students have to fix the situation; composure, where students take a time out to regroup themselves; restriction, where students lose a privilege; or reflection, where students analyze the problem and develop a solution. Choose consequences that fit the developmental level of your students. You can mix and match the various types depending on the expectation that was violated.

3. Create procedures in addition to expectations. Procedures let students know in advance what is expected regarding turning in homework, going to the restroom, getting a drink, asking questions and so forth. Spend the first several weeks of school making sure students are aware of the procedures. This will allow your classroom to run smoothly.

4. Share the expectations, consequences, and procedures with the students. Burke suggests having a classroom meeting to implement the rules explaining it is "the perfect opportunity to have a frank discussion of the rules, role play situations, and come to a class consensus about the rules the students and teacher will adopt to ensure a positive and organized classroom."

5. Follow through with the expectations and consequences. Fairness and consistency are cornerstones of a strong classroom management plan.

Be Proactive

1. Create engaging lessons. When students are on task, they are less likely to misbehave. Hook students' interest at the beginning of the lesson, provide clear directions, and work to maintain students' attention throughout the lesson.

2. Limit down time. Students are likely to violate expectations when they have abundant free time. Also make sure to transition smoothly from one activity to the next. Jones and Jones, authors of "Comprehensive Classroom Management," share that up to 15 percent of the day is spent transitioning in classrooms. Limiting this time will allow for less disruptions.

3. Arrange the classroom so you can easily see all students. Prevent students who will likely to cause problems from sitting together.

4. Scan the students frequently to observe their attentiveness. Positively reinforce desirable behavior. Get students back on track before disruptions occur. Monitor for student understanding. Students often misbehave when they are not able to confidently complete the given task.

5. Develop a warning system when students begin to misbehave. You may simply use proximity control and move closer to a student who is beginning to cause a disruption. A certain "teacher look" can also prove effective. Jones and Jones also suggest student-tailored systems. For example, if you have a student who commonly becomes too loud during group work, place a sticky note with a positive message on her desk as a warning.

React When Expectations are Violated

1. Use the developed consequences.

2. Respond in a manner fitting to the disruption. Remain calm and in control. Jones and Jones recommend making sure that your response is not more disruptive than the student's misbehavior. Try to not let your discipline affect the rest of the class.

3. Send the student to a school administrator when her behavior is negatively impacting the class. Burke suggests using this strategy as a last resort as it takes control out of the teacher's hands and, if overused, reduces the teacher's authoritative role in the eyes of the students.

4. Involve others when you have difficulty with a given student. Meet with parents/guardians, guidance counselors, and school administrators.

5. Use behavioral checklists and contracts for students who continually exhibit disruptive behavior. See the Resources for additional information.

Tips & Warnings

• Reevaluate your classroom discipline plan throughout the year to make sure it is effective. Make changes as needed.

• Immediately respond to situations that could cause harm to other students. Remove students who are a potential danger from the classroom.

References

• Comprehensive Classroom Management: Creating Communities of Support and Solving Problems; Vern Jones and Louise Jones; 2007.
• What to do with the Kid Who: Developing Cooperation, Self-Discipline, and Responsibility in the Classroom; Kay Burke; 2008.

Resources

• Behavior Management Forms