Pioneers in Classroom Management

Lindsay Elliott July 24, 2011 EDU450

Classroom Discipline and Management

Do not train children to learning by force and harshness, but direct them to it by what amuses their mind, so that you may be better able to discover with accuracy the peculiar bent of the genius of each. -Plato

Contributors &Theories

B.F. Skinner
Behavior Modification

Rudolph Dreikurs
Democratic Classroom

William Glasser
Choice Theory

Lee & Marlene Canter

Assertive Discipline

Jacob Kounin
Lesson Management

Alfie Kohn
Learning Communities

B.F. Skinner

Author of The Science of Learning and the Art of Teaching(1954). Believed that behavior is shaped through systematic reinforcement. Believed that punishment has limited effects.

1904-1990

Behavior Modification

Behavior Modification: In the Classroom

Rewards Praise Approval

William Glasser

Pioneer and contributor to modern discipline. Author of Schools Without Failure (1969). Human behavior is purposeful (Charles 2011). Students are responsible for their own behavior. The basic needs of students must be met.

1925-present

Choice Theory

Choice Theory: In the Classroom

Create a positive, supportive classroom. Work with students to create classroom expectations. Meet the basic needs of all students.

Choice Theory: In the Classroom

Hold classroom meetings. Be a leader, not a boss. Assign useful work. Expect 100% from every student. Encourage self-reflection.

Jacob Kounin

Author of Discipline and Group Management in Classrooms. Teaching style affects student behavior. Organization and planning are keys to engagement. Focuses on preventative discipline. Teachers must be constantly aware of all students in their classroom.

Lesson Management

Lesson Management: In the Classroom

Prevent misbehavior

With-it-ness and overlapping

Manage the Lesson

Momentum and smoothness

Maintain Focus

Group alerting and student accountability

Rudolph Dreikurs

Professor of Psychiatry Believed that students have a need for belonging. Believed that misbehavior occurs when needs are not met. Believed that democratic classrooms support effective learning.

Human Needs & Democratic Classrooms

The Need for Belonging

When need is not met, students will default to:

Encourage belonging by:

Attention seeking Power seeking Revenge seeking Displaying inadequacy

When the need is met, misbehavior will be prevented.

Involving all students in classroom activities. Giving all students adequate attention. Recognizing success. Showing respect to all students.

The Democratic Classroom

Speak in positive terms. Encourage improvement, not perfection. Emphasize strengths while minimizing weakness. Teach students to learn from their mistakes. Encourage students to help each other. Be optimistic, use encouraging words, and show faith in students.

Lee & Marlene Canter

Published book Assertive Discipline: A Take Charge Approach for Todays Educator (1976). Students have the right to learn in a calm, organized classroom. Teachers have the right to teach in a classroom free of interruption and misbehavior. Assertive teachers model classroom expectations clearly, confidently and consistently.

Assertive Discipline

Assertive Discipline: In the Classroom

Provide a clear set of rules. Explain why rules are needed. Make sure rules are understood by all. Explain rewards and consequences. Utilize positive consequences consistently. Utilize negative consequences consistently.

Alfie Kohn

Former teacher and author of

Punished by Rewards: The Trouble with Gold Stars, Incentive Plans, As, Praise, and Other Bribes.

Believes that traditional instruction is ineffective. Believes meaningful learning takes place when students have choice, feel respected, feel like a part of something, and can construct their own learning.

Learning Communities

The Classroom: As a Learning Community

Show respect for students. Help students connect. Utilize classroom meetings. Provide whole class and school wide activities. Reflect on instruction and learning.

References

Charles, C.M.(2011). Building Classroom Discipline, 10th Ed. Boston: Pearson Publishing.