12 Tips to Achieve Good Discipline

Helping students manage their own behavior in ways that help them learn is a longstanding goal of all teachers. Here are some ideas to consider:

l. Be fair. Be the kind of person children trust -- firm, fair, friendly, respectful, with a sense of humor.

2. Keep an orderly classroom. Maintaining a cheerful, organized classroom encourages good student behavior.

3. Get to know your students. If you do, you'll develop a "sixth sense" for anticipating trouble before it begins.

4. Make learning fun! Make students' days in school interesting and fun, as well as relevant to their lives.

5. Avoid arguing. Discussions are invaluable, but arguments are not -- especially in front of the other students.

6. Keep the rules simple. Establish only a few classroom rules and state them simply, clearly, and often.

7. Don't threaten. Act. Try not to use threats to enforce discipline, and never humiliate a child in your classroom.

8. Let your students know you care about them. Determine jointly with your students what is acceptable in terms of behavior, and what is not.

9. Understand your school district's official policies on student discipline.

10. Consult your Association representative and the building principal to learn what procedures you are expected to follow and what support is available to you.

11. Consult with parents/guardians -- they can be important allies and resources as you create a good learning environment for all the students in your classroom.

12. Don't go it alone. Find a colleague to whom you can go for advice and direction.

Source: http://www.vtnea.org/ti-1.htm