Classroom Discipline

Classroom Discipline Katy Christian Community church February 5, 2012

Discipline vs. punishment Discipline Punishment Past Behavior Reactive Creates fear Directs attention to wrong behavior Encourages teacher control Unpredictable • Future Behavior • Proactive • Creates security • Directs attention to correct behavior • Encourages self-control • Consistent “The goal of discipline is self-discipline.”

Winning the battle • “The only behavior you can change is _____” • Whoever arrives first is in control. • Don’t lose the battle before it begins – make it a priority to be 5 minutes early and mentally prepared.

Clear expectations • Establish clear expectations (rules and consequences) to avoid confusion • Be consistent: • Follow through with consequences every time • Be fair to all students • Mean what you say: • Don’t make empty promises/threats • Don’t promise consequences you can’t carry out

God rules Establishing Consistency • Give the Speaker Your Attention • Only Righteous Talk • Don’t be a Space Invader

Classroom management tips 1. Maximize Positive Attention • Whenever a child does something well, make sure to thank them (by name) • “Bad attention is better than no attention.” Classroom Management Tips

Classroom management tips 2. Ignore Small Annoyances • If it’s not a big deal, let it slide • Ask yourself, “Why is the child doing this?” • “Bad attention is better than no attention.” Classroom Management Tips

Classroom management tips 3. Use Natural and Logical Consequences • Make child realize that a choice to misbehave is a choice to accept the consequences • Make a mess  Clean it up • Distracted by friend  Move seats • Losing temper  Cool-down time Classroom Management Tips

4. Offer Appropriate Choices Classroom management tips • Sometimes, if a child doesn’t want to participate, offer another acceptable choice: i.e. reading/coloring quietly • Note: If child changes mind later, must follow through with his/her choice for that day Classroom Management Tips

5. Your Secret Weapons: Silence and “The Stare” Classroom management tips • You can’t out-yell a roomful of children • Never underestimate the power of silence Classroom Management Tips

6. Move to the Trouble Spots Classroom management tips • If you need to address certain child or group, walk over to them and address them quietly • Raising your voice is ineffective (and counterproductive) Classroom Management Tips

7. Make Use of the “Intimidation Factor” Classroom management tips • (If needed!) • When warning, use your body language to best effect • Slow movements • Low, slow, clear speech • Lean forward • Hand lightly on back or arm Classroom Management Tips

8. Help Children Understand What You Want Them to Do Classroom management tips • Avoiding using “no” and negative commands • Tell children the action that’s expected of them • Give clear, unambiguous directions • “Please put your feet on the floor.” Classroom Management Tips

9. Have Appropriate Expectations Classroom management tips • Don’t expect children to maintain attention like adults • Rule of Thumb: expect kids to sustain attention on one activity for 1 minute: 1 year of their age • Vary or break up activities at regular intervals Classroom Management Tips

10. Use Your Sense of Humor! Classroom management tips • Humor can gently remind students of the expectations • Also keeps class fun and non-threatening Classroom Management Tips

11. Use a Warning System Classroom management tips • Don’t force consequences on the first offense • Good rule: 3 Strikes • REMIND the child of the rule • Have the child RESTATE the rule • REINFORCE the rule with appropriate consequences Classroom Management Tips

12. Do Not Panic!!! Classroom management tips • Remember: Your behavior sets the tone for the classroom • If you show frustration, the students will become frustrated • If you lose control of your emotions, the students will lose control of their emotions • Focus on correcting behavior, not the children • Don’t take children’s behavior personally Classroom Management Tips

Case studies What would you do?

What would you do? (1) • Do you address this issue? • If so, how would you go about it? • You are teaching a small group of preschoolers and one of the boys yells an inappropriate word several times.

What would you do? (2) • Do you address this issue? • If so, how would you go about it? • You are teaching a large group of 5th graders and one of the students keeps rustling papers and shuffling his feet on the floor. None of the other students seem distracted.

What would you do? (3) • Do you address this issue? • If so, how would you go about it? • You notice that some children are yelling the words to the songs and goofing around during worship time.

What would you do? (4) • Do you address this issue? • If so, how would you go about it? • You hear one of your boys call another boy a bad name.

What would you do? (5) • Do you address this issue? • If so, how would you go about it? • Two of your girls are giggling, talking, a poking each other during the lesson. This is the third time you have warned them.

What would you do? (6) • Do you address this issue? • If so, how would you go about it? • You have a preschooler who runs and hides under the table during story time.

What would you do? (7) • Do you address this issue? • If so, how would you go about it? • One boy in your class hits another boy and makes him cry.

What would you do? (8) • Do you address this issue? • If so, how would you go about it? • The entire room is out of control and you are trying to get their attention.

Additional resources • http://www.childrensministry.com/teacher-tips/discipline • The Quick Guide to Discipline for Children’s Ministry. Gordon and Becki West. Group Publishing. • http://www.kidology.org

Classroom Discipline