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Classroom Discipline Tips
What do you do when a group of students seem to stick together and cause trouble together?
Why do you suppose gangs form? Answer that question and you will begin to know what to do when you have this situation.
- Foremost is a strong need for acceptance and belonging.
A typical reaction to a group problem in the classroom is to split them up with the hope that they will not misbehave individually. If they grouped together because of "power in numbers," this tactic may have some merit. But, if it was due to a need for connectedness, you will probably agitate the situation with this tactic. Your best response may very well be to not fight it. Structure group activities, projects, and presentations. Constructively channel this need.
- It is possible, however, that you may have a group of students who all have the need or desire for power.
If so, boundaries need to be defined immediately. Consider having a meeting with this group where you lay all the cards out on the table. The teacher states his/her position and allows them to openly express what is happening. Together they come up with a solution to which each member of the group is asked to commit. If one member of the group violates the contract, they all suffer the consequences.
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More on Discipline:
An Umbrella for Classroom Discipline
Classroom Discipline Must Get Beyond
Dealing with Discipline Problems
Hidden Messages in Disciplining
Ten Things Not to Say When Disciplining
Read more tips in the Handbook on the Basics of Classroom Discipline. Or, go beyond by using the Effectively Handling Classroom Discipline Workbook. Click on the covers below for more information
Also available: Biblical Authority versus the Authoritarian and Permissive Teachers Worksheet
(Last updated 2/01/12)
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