Re: Discipline in the classroom

Ben

Posted on 1/02/11

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Here are some strategies that served me well.

1. Get all the kids' names and make a seating chart BEFORE
the first day. Put labels on the desks with the students name
on it. That way the kids will know where to sit. When kids
come to school on day #1, they're always nervous about "what
will I do, how will I know where to go?" Some things have to
be decided FOR them.

2. Have a place for them to hang their coats, bookbags, etc.
If there isn't any, get a hammer and nails and make a coat-
rack.

3. Have a code of conduct and hand it out to students, and
get it signed by the parent. Put the code of conduct on the
wall in big letters, so the kids will know what the rules
are.

4. In the first week of school, take them all to the school
library and have each kid pick out a book. That way they can
read if they finish an assignment early or are waiting in
transistion. It'll keep them from making mischief.

5. A book report should be done twice a month. There's no
reason why not. Just make sure it's age-appropriate. First
graders can read picture books and graduate to easy chapter
books (from the "I Can Read" series). The book report should
be six sentences. Don't give the first-graders "Lord of the
Flies" and expect a 3-page paper!

6. Put punching bags in the lunchroom. They're available at
the GNC stores. Some kids need them if they have a lot of
energy/aggression.

7. Never do math, english, or social studies after lunch.
After lunch, the kids are always to tired or hyped up to
concentrate. After lunch should be independent reading, art,
music, or gym (wait a half hour between lunch and gym).
Always put math in first period.

8. Kids are at their worst during "downtime" when there's
nothing to do. Never expect them to "sit quietly" unless they
have something to do (see #9)

9. Teach them to play chess. It's a great activity for when
there's nothing else to do. Also, there are the books they're
reading for their book reports.

10. Outdoor recess is a must. Do not make the kid stay in as
punishment. The kids must have fresh air.

11. And consider putting the punching bags in the playground.
provide a bag of simple sports stuff; a nerf football, a
rubber frisby, jump ropes, a velcro ball, and the punching
bags (they're going to be grateful, I assure you.)

12. Make a list of playground rules; do not allow kids to
cluster in groups of more than three if they're "doing
nothing." That's where the cliques start off, and they'll
spend their time doing the "she can't be part of our group"
game. That's why I say you need the playground equipment.
Keep it all in a nylon laundry bag, and each kid has to sign
out for the pieces they're using. Treat outdoor recess like a
class, not a "down time."

13. Students must have a snack before class, a snack at
10:30, lunch by 12:30, and an "afternoon tea" at 2pm if
they're not going straight home. Little kids CANNOT go for
two hours without food.

14. Have the kids stretch every hour. It prevents
restlessness and boredom.

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