Grace,

I can not be too effusive in my encouragement for you to read
the book, "Beyond Discipline: From Compliance to Community,"
by Alfie Kohn. He brilliantly and clearly illuminates the low
expectations and illogical thinking behind the use of
punishments, rewards, praise, and coercion. He also proposes
a much more effective approach, which is similar to the one I
use:

http://teachers.net/mentors/discipline/topic1758/8.20.09.17.49
.07.html

Bottom lines: 1) If you expect that students are incapable of
supportive and self-disciplined behavior without your
punishments, praise, coercion, phone calls home, or demands
they go see the principal, you will get exactly what you
expect. 2) Most students who misbehave and continue to act
out do so in reaction to a teacher's low expectations of
them ... and consequent punishments, rewards, or coercion.

Such teacher behavior is inherently dehumanizing and
disrespectful, and while it MAY create compliance (quiet boys
and girls who do what you say when you say it), it will also
create resentment, anger, frustration, rage, and acting out.
Especially with students who are having issues with their own
sense of personal empowerment/self-respect in any and all
areas of their lives.

So yes, this means that the kid who will act out the most in
a compliance-oriented system is also most likely to change
their behavior when they are TRULY treated with high
expectations and respect at all times - especially when they
act out.

But for a truly transformative experience with illuminating
insights, READ ALFIE KOHN'S BOOK. (I read it in one sitting
while flying across country to give a talk on classroom
management and do some educational consulting - it gave me
even more to talk about. :-)

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