Video:Tips for Being Consistent With Discipline in the Classroom

Transcript:Tips for Being Consistent With Discipline in the Classroom

Hi! This is Meghan Lynn Allen for About.com, and today we'll talk about tips for being consistent with discipline.

Start Being Consistent With Discipline From the Beginning

Discipline may be unnerving to new teachers, but it's a vital technique that can be learned over time. Set an example and start discipline from the beginning, the very first day of class. You want to prevent expectations that disruptive behavior is a permissible pattern. You can let your guard down over time, but start with a strong example of discipline from the beginning. It's easier to take away disciplinary measures over time, depending on the students in your class, than it is to add them.

Avoid Embarrassment When Being Consistent With Discipline

And remember that discipline doesn't mean embarrassment. They are certainly not synonymous. You want to maintain your teaching environment as a professional one with mutual respect amongst students, and between student and teacher. So you may need to occasionally give your student that respect by taking them outside the classroom to talk, or staying after-school hours. Students can be taught a lesson without an atmosphere of peer humiliation.

Avoid Bullying When Being Consistent With Discipline

Discipline should never be a springboard to bullying. Looking for another tool to add to your discipline toolbox? Why not try humor? It can be a great bond between teacher and student, and a fun, easy, less threatening approach to discipline. But be careful not to cross the line into sarcasm, which can sometimes lead students to feel attacked.

Set Rules to Be Consistent With Discipline

Keeping discipline in the classroom means setting rules from the start, such as not talking over each other, or correcting the behavior each time it occurs. Consistency means that rules must be enforced. Relaxing the rules may lead to a lack of respect and attention in the classroom. And remember to treat every student equally. Never use a student to make an example.

Don't Keep Score When Being Consistent With Discipline

You want to keep your classroom discipline consistent, but don't keep score. Address the behavior and start from square one every day.

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