5 Ways to Improve Your Classroom Discipline

Disruptive and uncooperative behavior is a growing problem in schools today, as teachers become ever more precautious about how they carry out classroom discipline. Many are scared about circulating stories in the media, in which students have taken legal action against teachers who have punished them for bad behavior. However, it is essential that strict measures are in place if the students are to receive a good education - here are some easy ways to improve your classroom discipline.

1. Don't reward disruptive behavior with attention.

More often than not, disruptive pupils are simply seeking attention. The worst thing you as a teacher can do is focus the classroom's attention on an incident. Try to minimize the amount of time you spend talking to the student - simply looking in their direction and asking them to remain behind at the end is an effective method. Punishment can be dealt with then, away from their classmates. Whatever you do, don't ask them to wait outside - that gives them a perfect opportunity to disrupt other classes. If they are causing too much distraction to stay in the class take them to the principal's office (or better, ask a classroom assistant to do so if that option is available).

2. Consistency is the key.

No matter whether it's thanksgiving, or the last day of the semester, classroom discipline must remain consistent. Students must know what the boundaries are; they will get confused if these are constantly changing. Children and teenagers actually like there being solid boundaries in place, so they know how to behave in an appropriate manner. Making a clear set of classroom rules is the easiest way to gain and keep the respect of your pupils.

3. Reward good behavior.

Many students, particularly younger ones, respond incredibly well to rewards, even if the threat of punishment doesn't bother them. They are incentivized and motivated to be on their best behavior. An effective method is a long-term reward system, such as a merit chart, so pupils don't want to ruin their progress with an incident of disruptiveness. This should work alongside a weekly reward system, so students that have behaved badly in the past can start a 'fresh' week of good behavior.

4. Clarity and consequences.

Rules must be easy to understand - and the consequences of unacceptable actions must be known, as well as enforced every time. Clarity is very important here; any regulation must be stated very simply, so all students know exactly what it means. There must be no way to 'bend the rules' as this can lead to disputes. Also if consequences aren't always carried out students will think they can get away with it again.

5. Be fair.

No matter who your favorite student is, or which children you simply detest, all students must be treated equally. This is the number one rule for good classroom discipline. If a pupil feels they are being treated unfairly, they will lose all respect for you immediately and become unmotivated to behave well in the future.