For many teachers who are responsible for educating young children, meeting the needs of all students and ensuring a calm classroom environment is quite a challenging task. Teachers usually apply some way of disciplining and managing them, for example by announcing the rules at the beginning of the school year and applying them consistently until grades increase. Another method that is currently widely applied is to discipline students by providing positive reinforcement so that they are motivated to behave well, instead of giving negative reinforcement, for example applying physical or verbal punishment with words that demean students. In addition, many teachers discipline students by inviting them to think of solutions together and participate in class so that they feel that their opinions are respected. Thus, they understand the importance of being able to respect and rely on themselves when dealing with issues or problems.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Determining and Implementing Class Rules
Step 1. Prepare class rules
Determine 4-5 rules that will be applied in the classroom to ensure each student understands the limits of behavior during the lesson.
- For example: all students are in class on time and ready to take lessons, are willing to listen when the teacher explains, raise their hands before answering questions, understand the consequences that arise from not attending lessons or being late in submitting assignments.
- In addition, set rules that require each student to respect others in the class and listen respectfully to the person speaking. Make sure you apply at least 2 rules that are directly related to discipline and how to treat others in the classroom.
Step 2. Tell students the rules and things they must do on the first day of the new school year
Take the right steps to start the new school year by printing out the rules and distributing them to all students, sticking them on the board, or uploading them on the school's website for reading throughout the school year. Explain that you expect all students to obey the rules and apply them well.
Step 3. State the negative and positive consequences of the applicable regulations
Explain in detail the consequences that must be borne by students who disturb the peace during the lesson. For example, a student is considered to have violated the rules if he interrupts when his friend is talking and as a consequence, you will penalize the student. Likewise, if students do not want to lend learning tools to their friends, this is considered a violation of the rules and can reduce the value of student activity in the classroom. Describe a situation that is considered disturbing the peace of learning or violating class rules.
- Also convey positive consequences for students obeying class rules, for example students will receive verbal praise or be listed as eligible candidates for prizes. Alternatively, give a gold star or check mark next to the name of the student who complies with the rules. Giving rewards to groups is also useful, for example by putting marbles into jars if the groups interact with each other well and according to the rules. When the marbles reach a certain height, all students may take part in special events, such as field trips or other activities organized by the school.
- After explaining the rules and their consequences to all students, have them give verbal approval of the rules or show that they understand the rules presented by raising their hands. This applies as a commitment to class rules from every student in the class.
Step 4. Provide parents with photocopies of the rules in the first week of the new school year
That way, they understand the rules you apply to your students and how to discipline them. Sometimes, parents need to be involved if problems in the classroom cannot be resolved. Therefore, inform parents of class rules no later than 1 week since the start of the new school year.
Ask parents to invite their son/daughter to discuss class rules at home so that they better understand the rules that apply. This will show your child that you agree to the rules
Step 5. Have regular class rules discussions
In general, students will respond to consistent fair behavior and learn to be kind by imitating the actual actions of those who educate them. Review the rules and your expectations of students at least once a week to keep them in mind.
Provide opportunities for students to ask questions or provide opinions about the rules that apply in the classroom. Hold a discussion to discuss class rules so that each student can give their opinion. Be open if some students suggest that the rules be formulated more specifically or adjusted. While you are in charge of deciding whether or not the rules need to be changed or adjusted, this step shows that you respect students' opinions and see their ability to think critically
Step 6. Implement the rules by taking concrete actions
If there is a problem in the classroom, remind the students of the rules and expectations that have been mutually agreed upon. Do not hesitate to be firm in enforcing the rules because this is the only way to apply class rules. If necessary, provide educational sanctions and never yell or scold students. The sanctions given should make students realize their mistakes and want to discuss, instead of feeling humiliated or humiliated.
Make sure you provide positive consequences throughout the school year if one or all students obey the rules. This way reminds them that rules are set to reward and discipline them
Method 2 of 3: Disciplining Students in a Positive Way
Step 1. Know the difference between punishing and disciplining students in a positive way
Positive discipline is carried out with positive and non-violent actions to appreciate and appreciate students who behave well or correct negative behavior. In contrast to punishment, positive discipline is useful for improving behavior without humiliating, demeaning, attacking, or hurting students. Studies show that students respond better to positive approaches, for example by offering choices, negotiating, discussing, and giving appreciation.
As a teacher, an easier way to discipline students is to enforce positive discipline because you are giving them the opportunity to make choices and make decisions for themselves, instead of forcing them to behave well. This method is also useful in maintaining class calm because all students are able to reprimand themselves and determine solutions independently if problems occur between them
Step 2. Apply the seven principles for establishing positive discipline
Enforcement of positive discipline is based on seven key principles that serve as rules for you as a teacher or leader. The seven principles are:
- Respect students' self-esteem.
- Demonstrate the ability to be social and self-disciplined.
- Maximizing student participation during discussions in class.
- Appreciate the needs of students to develop themselves and improve the quality of life.
- Appreciate students' motivation and outlook on life.
- Ensure equality and fairness by promoting equality and opposing discrimination.
- Increase solidarity among students in the classroom.
Step 3. Take the four steps to establish positive discipline
Positive enforcement of discipline is based on a four-step process with the aim of acknowledging and rewarding well-behaved students in the classroom. This step can be applied to students individually or in groups.
- The first step, explain the good behavior you expect from each or all students. For example, if you ask all students to calm down, say to them: "I hope you calm down so class can begin."
- Then, give reasons so students understand the importance of good behavior. For example, "We are going to start English lessons. Listen carefully so that you understand the material discussed today".
- Ask all students to agree on the importance of good behavior, for example by asking, "Do you understand the need to maintain calm in class?"
- Support well-behaved students by making eye contact, nodding their heads, or smiling. Reward good behavior by extending the break for 5 minutes or putting marbles in a jar for a reward. If you want to appreciate the behavior of a student, add an additional mark or a star next to his or her name.
- Give appreciation as quickly and clearly as possible so that students feel successful in becoming a winning team and give praise to each student for being a good team member.
Step 4. Apply positive discipline when teaching
Use a 4:1 ratio when applying positive discipline. That is, every time a student or all students do 1 thing that is not good, express 4 good things that he/she did. Apply this ratio consistently to show that you would rather reward students and reward good actions than punish.
- Remember that positive discipline will fail if appreciation is delayed or unclear. Make sure you immediately appreciate any good behavior.
- Emphasize the action to be taken, not the behavior. Focus on discussing the benefits of taking action, such as maintaining calm and considering the interests of others, instead of simply forbidding students from speaking or shouting. For example, send a message that conveys respect for the other person by saying, "We need to maintain our composure in order to understand what the other person is saying," instead of advising them by saying, "Don't talk! Listen to the person talking!"
Method 3 of 3: Invite Students to Think of Solutions and Participate
Step 1. Use the agenda and book to record solutions
Prepare two blank notebooks and label them, 1 for the agenda and 1 for recording solutions. The agenda is used to record issues or problems in the classroom and the solution book is used to record solutions/answers to those issues or problems. You are tasked with helping students to solve problems that are listed on the agenda and recording various alternative solutions in the solution book.
Disciplines like this are also called democratic disciplines that are useful in forming critical thinking and inviting students to actively participate in thinking about solutions to overcome issues or problems. As the teacher, it is your responsibility to facilitate discussion and provide input, but leave the students to provide ideas and feedback
Step 2. Explain the purpose of creating an agenda to students on the first day of the new school year
When students are on the first day of school, show them two books. Begin the explanation by saying that the classroom is a place where all students feel valued and their opinions heard. Also convey that you rely on students to provide solutions to issues or problems that arise during the school year. You can be a discussion guide, but let them feel free to discuss and determine their own solutions.
Point out the issues or issues you noted on the agenda last year. For example, tell of a problem that occurred last year when students were in line for lunch. While waiting for their turn, some students feel annoyed or disappointed because a friend interrupts or pushes them to get into the line
Step 3. Let students propose solutions to the problems you describe
Ask them for polite queuing suggestions. When they propose several solutions, write them on the board one by one including any suggestions that seem stupid or impossible.
For example, they might suggest that you call the names of students to line up alphabetically, give the boys a chance to get in line first, let all students run as fast as possible to be in the front row, or call random students to line up
Step 4. Consider each proposed solution
Tell students that the current problem is their problem. Therefore, they are the ones who should think about the positives and negatives of each solution and determine the solution they want to apply for one week. Explain that: "who faces a problem must think of a solution". Present the analysis of each solution aloud so that all students can hear the reason.
- For example, start explaining by saying: "If I put the boys in line, the girls will be behind and we don't want that. However, in alphabetical order, the student named A will always be in the front. If running to queue, students can get injured or injured. So, I choose to call students randomly".
- Apply the solution for the next 1 week when students line up for lunch. Before they line up, ask the question, "Who still remembers the solution to the lunch line?" or "Hands up if anyone remembers the rules for lining up". This step is useful for confirming the decision that has been made and showing all students that you actually implemented the chosen solution.
Step 5. Use the agenda and solution book throughout the school year
After explaining how to use the agenda and solution book to students, have them use the book to record problems and discuss alternative solutions together. Check the agenda daily and help students solve the problems listed in the book.
- Ask the students who wrote the problem to ask their friends for alternative solutions. After getting 3-4 proposed solutions, help him decide which solution to apply for 1 week. Ask students to describe the solution they agreed to implement for 1 week and tell the name of the student who proposed it.
- After 1 week, invite the student to discuss and ask his friends to explain to his friends whether the solution is useful or not. If the solution is helpful, ask him if he will continue to apply it. If not, help him come up with a better solution or improve an already decided solution.
- This step supports students to determine solutions independently and solve problems with critical thinking and self-respect. In addition, you are able to discipline students in an open and helpful way because they are able to understand that any problem can be solved by considering various alternative solutions.
