Classroom Discipline
Do you have rules for your class? The rules of your school are simply not enough. They are too vague, superficial and not specific enough to help you in your class. I am going to share with you what I have done many times and in several schools to keep my class with me and everything going smoothly. First, you will see 10 simple steps to establishing rules for your class, then suggestions for rules and penalties.
A. Making Class Rules
1. Make your class rules when you first meet the students not when indiscipline sets in. Let your students decide or suggest at least 50% of the rules. Do not limit your rules to “Don’t, can’t, must, mustn’t”. Also use softer words like “Should, try to, make sure, etc. In other words the rules should not sound too oppressive. They should rather sound helpful.
2. Rules should be decided alongside with their penalties so that you do not have to think of what to do when a student breaks a rule. They should know what the penalties are.
3. Rules as well as penalties should be divided into major and minor categories. Example: No talking when another student is asking or answering a question is a minor rule while fighting is a major rule.
4. Elect a class representative who is the spokesperson for the class and also in charge of the rules. Be careful with who gets elected. Hints: The naughtiest student in class made class representative is a very good catch. He or she will easily be controlled rather than anyone else having to deal with him or her. Making a timid, shy or weak student class representative can also be a big motivating factor and make them better. You will highly need your sense of sharpness here to get your class representative.
5. Double check rules for errors and contradictions. Consult senior teachers in your school to see if the rules fall in line with school rules.
6. Get the rules translated into the first language of the students you teach especially if they are beginners.
7. Make a master copy of the rules A3 paper or bigger and paste it up somewhere in the classroom.
8. Leave blanks for approval and signature at the end of the rules. Let every student have a copy, read, approve, sign and glue it to the inner page of the cover of their English Text book..
9. Now launch a prize to be won at the end of the year or semester by the most disciplined student. Decide conditions for winning the prize without being too hard like “If you never broke any rule.” NB. When a prize is too hard to be won or a rule is to hard to be kept students simply give up.
10. Last but not the least, announce a Rule-Free-Day. This is a day on which students don’t have to keep to the rules. This day is great fun to students and they always look forward to it. It helps in easing tension and difficult moments in class. It is also on this day that class parties, group projects, shows are done. Choose the day wisely or leave it open and tell them that the days comes any time they are doing great in class work and discipline. Hint: Mine is the last class of every month.
Now you are good to go. Follow the rules. One little slip at the beginning will lead to something bigger in a very short time.
B. Suggestions for rules
These are purely suggestions because schools have different settings and every class is unique. It’s up to you to modify them the way you like.
- Eating, chewing gum and drinking juice, water, pills, in class.
- Throwing papers / things at others, on the floor, at the trash can, through the window, etc.
- Taking off clothes / shoes
- Writing/ drawing on the desk / board / chair / wall / door
- Taking personal items of other students without permission.
- Saying bad words or making rude and impolite gestures.
- Interrupting other students when they ask or answer questions.
- Yelling at other students.
- Cheating during tests
- Lateness to class
- Skipping classes
- Missing class tests / projects
- Submitting homework
- Leaving the classroom during the lesson.
- Sleeping
- Fighting / Running around in class
- Standing on the chair or desk
- Changing seats.
- Refusing to follow instructions from the teacher.
- Stealing / lying
C. Suggestions for penalties
These again are purely suggestions because schools have different policies regarding punishment. You have to modify them to suit your students.
- Standing at the back / in front of the class.
- Losing a seat with a best friend
- Hands straight up in the air
- Standing on one leg
- Emptying the trash can
- Cleaning the board for one week, month, etc
- Doing a long and hard homework
- Copying a long text from an English text book
- Call by teacher to parents
- Letter from teacher to parents
Denis
Shanghai November 12th, 2008
Tags: book, Classroom, copy, discipline, English, esl, parents, penalties, punishment, rules, students, text