140 Hour TESOL

Discipline in the ClassroomDiscipline in the classroom is extremely important for creating a successful efficient learning environment. A teacher’s time with their students is a precious thing and it is important to maximize it so the students get as much as possible from the lesson. There are many things that can detract from the time spent studying english in the classroom and it is important that teachers know how to minimize the possibility for distraction. The teacher must maintain an air of discipline in the classroom so that students do not get out of hand and waste valuable time. There are many ways to go about commanding control of the class and it is often up to the teacher to find what works best for them in different situations. The environment in the classroom is set before the lesson even starts. To start the class on a good foot it is important for the teacher to not only be on time but also be early if they can to greet students as they come in and start establishing rapport with the students. Teachers should always lead by example because as pointed out in “Discipline by Design” if teachers say one thing and do another it can be confusing for their students and encourage misbehavior. Once everyone has arrived to class, settling down the students and getting started can be quite tricky, especially if they have just come from a recess or a lunch. There are several techniques that can be used to get the class’s full attention and start the lesson. It is important for the teacher have everyone’s attention before beginning his or her lesson so that no one is left behind and everyone is focused. Some teachers may think that by starting the lesson before everyone has calmed down, students will see that it is time to pay attention and they will quiet down. While this may work sometimes, it creates a sort of competition between the students and the teacher and gives the students the idea that they can talk while the teacher is talking. A better way to handle this is called focusing. In this method, teachers use their silence as an advantage and do not speak until they have the complete attention of the class, sometimes extending the silence a few seconds longer after all the students have quieted to really emphasize their point. When planning a lesson it is good to build in time to quiet the students down, especially if the class as a history of being rowdy. Some teachers find that non-verbal cueing works to get the class’s attention. In the 50’s it was common for every classroom to have a bell that the teacher would ring to command the attention of the class. Some teachers have a special clap to signal its time to be quiet, and some flip the light switch. These can be very effective if you have the right group of students for it. One final method when anticipating high energy disruptive behavior is to hand the students a quiet individual activity to work on while the others arrive, this will start the class off on a quiet relaxed level and will be easier to maintain order throughout the lesson. Once class had begun there is the issue of maintaining discipline through out the lesson and what do to if students become disruptive or get out of line. There is a lot of support for what is called “positive discipline”. This is a way of approaching classroom management that promotes self worth and encourages the students rather than demoralize them. When constantly bombarded with don’ts and stop and restriction and can be harmful for the students ability to flourish. With this approach, rules are phrased in a positive way, so rather than “no running in the classroom” the teacher should say “please walk in the classroom”. Tell the students exactly what you would like them to do or what it is that you want to reach them on a person-to-person basis. It is important to offer a solution to any problems that arise and to not distract the class when reprimanding an individual student. Showing confidence in the students’ abilities is a key part of this to improve their motivation and make it less likely for them to be disruptive again. There are a lot of ways to handle disruptive students and it is important for the teacher to be careful with how they do so and to find a method that works best for their situation while still promoting a positive class environment. Classroom management and discipline can be a tricky subject and may take years of teaching experience to master. The teacher should do as much as possible to promote a fun and enthusiastic environment for their students so they feel as though they want to be in class in the first place and will respect the teacher. Brightening up the room with artwork and posters is a good aid to discipline. It is also crucial to show the students the same respect that the teacher expects from them and make the environment more personal. Teachers will have to use what they have to work with to create the best learning environment possible and remember that there are always outside resources they can turn to in order to seek advice. Resources: Churchwar, Budd. Discipline by Design: “11 Techniques for Better Classroom Discipline.” 2009. http://www.honorlevel.com/x47.xml Kid Resource Online: “Positive Discipline”. 2009. http://www.kidsource.com/kidsource/content/positive.discipline.html The Teachers Guide: “Classroom Management”. http://www.theteachersguide.com/ClassManagement.htm