Ways to Minimize Disciplinary Problems in the Classroom

Many times separating students from distractions can prevent poor behavior from emerging.

Poor behavior in the classroom can be disruptive and counterproductive both for the teacher and the other students. It is important for teachers to find ways to minimize disciplinary problems in their classes to ensure they are creating a positive learning environment for students. Minimizing discipline problems in the classroom can be a difficult challenge. However, there are a variety of things teachers can do to minimize these problems in their classes and prevent these acts of misbehavior from occurring in the first place.

Setting Classroom Standards

Firm classroom standards are essential to minimizing disciplinary problems and preventing them from occurring in the first place. Clearly communicate to students what is expected of them in the classroom, what behavior will not be tolerated, and what disciplinary actions will be taken if students fail to comply with your classroom standards. Communicate these rules in a clear, concise manner, both verbally and in written form. Writing these rules out in a syllabus and having the students each sign a copy of the rules is a good way to show the seriousness of your standards.

Creating a Positive Environment

Even though you may be trying to create a strict learning environment for children to decrease disciplinary problems, this doesn't mean the classroom shouldn't be a positive place. Positivity in the classroom will create an environment of mutual respect between students and teachers, instead of instilling fear. Reinforce proper, respectful behavior by students when it occurs. With a positive and respectful environment in the classroom, students will feel less of a need to behave poorly.

Leading by Example

If you set rules within your classroom and don't always follow through on them, disciplinary problems within the classroom will fail to decrease. If you say you are going to send a student to the principal's office for calling another student a name, make sure you always do it. Don't just discipline severe cases; apply this to all students who act out against your rules. If students think they can get away with small things, they may try to test boundaries to see what more they can get away with. If students break serious rules by fighting or destroying school property, never hesitate to contact their parents. Following through with your rules will make students understand there is a no-tolerance policy for misbehavior.

Omitting Distractions

Create seating assignments that you feel are most conducive to the students' ability to learn and stay focused, so don't be afraid to move students who are disruptive to the classroom. The more focused students are on the teacher and the work they are doing in class, the less likely it is for misbehavior to occur. If you are lecturing, keep students engaged by randomly asking them questions, or to read aloud or otherwise participate. This can stop students from acting out or causing problems in the classroom. If students are bored or unengaged they may be more inclined to be disruptive or cause problems.

Predicting Behavior Problems

The best way to minimize disciplinary problems in the classroom is learning to predict behavior problems and stop them before they happen. The best way to learn to do this is through awareness and experience. If you see signs that a student may be planning to do something disruptive in the classroom or looks like he is about to break a rule, step in and use your authority to stop the behavior before it develops into something serious. Over time you will be able to tell which students are more likely to act out and what warning signs emerge before they misbehave. Preventing students from misbehaving doesn't mean disciplining them; if a student looks like he may be looking at someone else's paper, simply stand near him so he knows you're watching and attempt to stop the bad behavior before it starts.

References

• The Apple: How to Approach Behavior Problems in Class