Classroom Management and Discipline Methods to Facilitate Cooperation and Instruction
Classroom management and discipline methods can be used to facilitate instruction and gain cooperation from the students. Devising a classroom management plan and implementing appropriate discipline methods positively impacts the learning environment. Managing the classroom and soliciting buy-in from students so classroom management becomes a cooperative and collaborative endeavor is the key to effective instruction.
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Post Expectations and Consequences
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Post rules. Clearly state academic and behavioral expectations, and provide rationale that links expectations to consequences and expectations to future goals. Teachers should outline behaviors that are inappropriate, such as talking, making physical contact with another student and passing notes in class. Consequences for misbehavior should be specific and might include detention, isolation and office referral. If students can see a cause-and-effect relationship between expectations and consequences and the relationship between expectations and future goals, they will see how they can be in control of their successes and failures.
Solicit Input from Students
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Ask students to help. Solicit input from students in the formulation of the classroom management plan. Students can contribute their ideas of what constitutes inappropriate behavior and perhaps voice opinion on consequences for rule infractions. If students have voice in setting up the classroom management plan, they will be more eager to take ownership as well as help to enforce and abide by the expectations set forth. Students will become peer tutors and work to encourage others to abide by rules and reach expectations. Students can even take part in explaining expectations and consequences to classmates.
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Consistency
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Students are differ, but consequences must be the same. Consistency in the application of consequences leads to a more effective classroom management plan. When students see a predictable cause and effect in classroom management, less dissension over discipline is likely to occur. Students interpret predictability as fairness.
Comprehensive Rules
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Comprehensive rules that cover a broad range of behaviors are best. Formulating a few comprehensive rules tends to yield greater buy-in and compliance from students than does a list of many rules. Instead of "don't talk when others are talking," simply state, "be respectful of others." Having one rule that addresses all of these disrespectful behaviors helps students to begin to conceptualize respect and to see it as a collaborative tool for success
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Resources
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