Never, ever assign punishment to the nonguilty. Punishing a whole
class for the misbehavior of a few is unfair and will destroy your
reputation for honesty.

1. Placement - you must break up the "F troop" - if necessary,
assign desks by alphabetical order.
2. Decide on your 3 "fall of the sword" discipline problems - the
three things you are willing to quit your job rather than allow in
the classroom. No more than 3. As suggestions:
- Do not keep another student from learning
- Do not keep the teacher from working
- Try to do everything asked of you by the teacher
3. Carefully consider your nonverbal cues during infractions -
are you negating your words with a smile or hesitancy? Are you
afraid to walk directly up to the student and stare directly at
them - that "teacher's look" is a strong weapon - USE it.
4. Prominently post your rules AND penalities - warning, 1st
infraction, 2nd infraction, and 3rd infraction. Make the
penalities severe but not brutal (letter of apology to the teacher
by the end of the day, letter of apology to the teacher to be read
to the teacher in front of the prinicipal, letter of apology to
the teacher to be read to the teacher in front of parents and
principal) - make sure administration agrees to this. Discuss,
discuss, show, have the students read. Congratulate students who
behave well (privately and in public). Ask the other students to
focus more on appropriate behavior - it's becoming an issue for
the whole class.
5. AFTER all this is in effect - put into action. When a student
breaks a policy, give a clear, distinct warning. The student may
either stop or continue. If the student stops, that's fine (later
go over and congratulate on resuming appropriate behavior). If
the student continues or resumes, put the first penalty into
place. Don't make a scene- don't let the student keep you from
your job. "X, that's the second infraction for Rule 1. I'll
expect that letter by the end of the day. We're going on with the
activity now; I expect you to fix the situation." Don't engage in
discussion, don't beg. If the student stops the behavior issue
and provides the letter, then accept it in good grace and
congratulate the student on making a wise choice. If the student
is trying to behave, pour on the positive reinforcement. If the
student refuses the penalty, then the situation moves to the
second level. If the student finishes the penalty, but then makes
the infraction again, award the 2nd penalty.

You are trying to change poor behavior, not nag the students into
being better.

EVERYTHING in the classroom falls either inside those 3 rules or
outside those 3 rules. If it's outside, then the student gets
redirection and perhaps a quiet moment of conversation. If it's
inside, then you will instantly pounce AND stop the situation AND
exact penalties AND keep on the permanent record AND be willing to
call in the authorities. Basically, you will fall onto a sword
rather than submit to the problem.

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