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| Self-control! |
Teachers spend a lot of time thinking about thinking about ways to promote good student behavior. Call it student discipline or classroom management—it’s all about teaching students how to control themselves.
“Don’t you know how
to behave?” It’s a common question asked by teachers countless times every
school day across America. The question is typically academic — intended to
voice disapproval of a breach of decorum. My point is that teachers who simply expect that students know how to behave
are apt to be disappointed.
Classroom Management Calls
for Teaching Skills
Too many teachers
depend on discipline tips — including rewards. Good discipline, however,
requires knowledge of factors that determine human behavior. For example, to
what extent are teachers aware of the role of “cues” in managing behavior? In other words, are there things present in
the classroom or visible outside that might encourage some students to act out?
Something as simple as a poster that has an anomalous picture or word might
serve as a stimulus for a crude joke.
The best classroom
control comes from self control because it is more desirable for students to internalize
the ability to manage their own behavior, and the good news is that self
control can be taught.
Suggestions for Teaching Self Control -- the Key to Classroom Management
The first step in
teaching self-control
is to model it. This precludes all-too-common practices like screaming at
students, overt displays of anger, put-downs, etc. Along with controlled
emotions, teachers much present themselves in a manner that demands respect.
On the first day of
class initiate a discussion of self-control. Be positive. Make it clear that
good manners are part of self-control.
- Be friendly, relaxed, and smile on the first day and every day.
- Have an activity that focuses on teaching self-control.
- Help students understand that control must come from within.
- Do not reward students for showing self-control. Doing so violates the concept of controlling one’s self. Material rewards are external controls.
- Try to omit rules based on pet-peeves.
- Work hard on mutual respect instead of rewards and punishment.
- Have frequent, brief discussions about self-control and character development.
- Read and learn what you can about self-control.
Links re: self-control
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