20 Strategies for Discipline that WORK!
(Taken from a presentation by Dr. Trevor T. Steinbach)
Strategy 1: Teach the 3-5 School-wide PBS Rules
o Kids learn what they are taught
o Teach the rules at the beginning of the year
o Teach the rules like you teach your curriculum
o Formally teach the rule
o Reinforce the rule
o Review the rule
o Pre-correct the rule
Strategy 2: Teach & Enforce your Classroom Signal
o Teach the signal
o Students should then stop what they are doing
o Use the signal during transitions & when teacher needs attention
o Don’t continue until you get FULL compliance
Strategy 3: Get Junk off the Desks
o Reduce potential distractions
o Only items that they need
o Everything else in desk, floor, or book bag
o Rule of Thumb: If it is not needed for the lesson, it’s off the desks!
Strategy 4: Move around your Room
o Use proximity as you monitor student work, class discussions, and teacher-guided
instruction
o You can’t prevent problems from the front of the room
Strategy 5: Students Must Realize They Can Be Called on at Any Time
o Students that think they won’t be called on get off-task
o Keep students involved in discussion
o Ask question, then wait; then call on student
o Only call on students with raised hands – No Shout-outs
o Use balanced approach-some hands up, some hands down
Strategy 6: Teach the Logic for the PBS Rules
o Explain why the rule exists
o Review the rationale
o Don’t assume that they understand why
Strategy 7: After giving a Directive, Tolerate NO EXCEPTIONS!
o Verify compliance before moving on
o “Everyone look this way”
o When one does not comply, get that compliance
o Bottom Line: If you want it, GET IT!
Strategy 8: Don’t Try To Be “One of the Kids”
o Enforce all policies, don’t ignore unpopular rules
o Everyone IS RESPONSIBLE for the rules
o Students will respect your for following the rules
Strategy 9: Avoid Using Humiliation, Sarcasm & Embarrassment
o Humor at the expense of the student is unwise, unprofessional &
inappropriate
o Student may have “baggage” that will set them off or result in tragedy
Strategy 10: Eliminate the Blind Spots When Transitioning Students
o Keep your class together in the halls
o Stand at the back of the line
o Have students stop at corners or entrances until you get there
o Put trustworthy people at the front of the line
Strategy 11: Start Parent Conferences with Positive Statements
o Goal of conference is to increase communication
o Hear a positive message first
o When you complement student, you are complementing the parent
o Then discuss areas of need/concern
Strategy 12: Eight Conference Strategies
o Thank the parent for coming
o ‘Let the parent “vent”
o Remain calm during the “vent” period
o Maintain eye contact with parent
o Communicate you are listening (take notes)
o Deal with the parent’s agenda first
o Discuss the future of their student, not the past performance
o “Give” some to the parent, to “get” some for you
Strategy 13: Post & Teach the PBS Classroom Rules
o This eliminates potential student/parent questions
o It can be used to Pre-correct behavior
o It reminds you to monitor the compliance
Strategy 14: Don’t Ignore Little Classroom Problems
o Little problems become BIG PROBLEMS
o If it is a rule, it must be enforced.
Strategy 15: Call the Parent BEFORE the Student Gets Home
o The student will only tell “their side” of the story…they hope to get to the
parent first
o Proactive contact prevents problems
Strategy 16: Actively Encourage Parents to Call the School
o Prevents problems that fester
o Phones work both ways
o List the school phone on everything that goes home
Strategy 17: Don’t Touch Students when Disciplining Them!
o Avoid physical contact when disciplining
o Physical contact can result in an emotional outburst
o Often parents will claim physical harm to their child as a result of physical
contact
Strategy 18: Students Needing Help Should NOT Line Up at Teacher’s Desk
o Lining up creates a visual barrier
o Lines waste learning time
o Teacher moves around room: Proximity
Strategy 19: Use Specific Praise with Students
o Praise what they did by mentioning ‘ “Kevin you did very well on the U.S.
History Test, you got 10 out of 10 which shows you must have studied”
o Praise sincerely
o Don’t use general praise
o Make praise age appropriate
Strategy 20: Maximize Wait Time when Asking the Class a Question
o Equalize student thinking ability, use wait time before calling on students
o Increases quality of answers
o Increases everyone being prepared to answer
INCREASE YOUR SUCCESS
Use All 20 Strategies!