Instilling discipline in the classroom is one of the toughest roles teachers have been playing. Instilling discipline to confused, rebellious and identity- stricken high school students is more exhausting than teaching all the rudiments and complexities of language, Mathematics and Sciences.To facilitate a positive teaching- learning process, instilling discipline, controlling chaos, and maintaining a good classroom management is a must. Nowadays, instilling discipline cannot be achieved by intimidation, threat and punishment.

 

Here are the ways or strategies on how to instill positive discipline in the classroom.

1. 1.Make a few basic rules that are sufficient to maintain order in the class. Explain your expectations to the students, and also ask them what they expect from you. This will ensure their active participation in the learning process.
2. 2.Be consistent in following the rules, in order to set a good example. Otherwise, students would not respect you, and gradually lose interest in your class. The rules to be followed should be explained to the students properly, so that they do not have any doubts regarding them.
3. 3.Don’t embarrass a student in front of his or her peers for violating any rule or disrupting the class. It would make the student more unruly and violent. If a student is really stubborn, and is not following the rules, then talk to him in private to know the exact reason behind his behavior.
4. 4.Avoid confrontations in the classroom. A teacher has to be very calm and patient while handling the cases of indiscipline and disobedience.
5. 5.Award System.An award system can work wonders in implementing the rules and regulations. An award system encourages students to follow the rules, and behave in the right manner.
6. 6.Be Fair. A teacher should always be fair to all the students. Students can easily sense if their teacher is partial to any particular student. So, you have to treat every student equally, especially regarding the rules and punishments. If the most brilliant student of the class violates the standard rules, he should receive the same punishment like others. Otherwise, students would lose interest in your rules and the discipline plan.
7. 7.Involve the Parents. Parental involvement can help teachers understand their students, and manage them accordingly. Try to win over the confidence of the parents, and they would help you a lot in instilling values and good behavior in your students.
8. 8.Establish a friendly demeanour toward your students yet maintain your authority. If you create a friendly atmosphere in the classroom, the students will be more relaxed.
9. 9.Most importantly,a teacher should love his/her students. Students need to be loved, cared for and understood by their teacher. They will love and respect their teacher in return.

 

 

Instilling discipline is stressing and draining, but if you come up with effective strategies and positive discipline techniques along with effective classroom rules you can create an environment of engaged learning. Positive discipline brings order to a classroom with the philosophy that when the connection between student and teacher is respectful and encouraging, students can discover their true capability while gaining lifelong social skills, such as concern for others, cooperation and problem solving.

 

By: Ma. Lanie M. Gamit | Teacher I | Mariveles National High School – Poblacion | Mariveles, Bataan