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Setting Up a Discipline System
"Teachers are keenly concerned with maintaining pleasant, well-mannered behavior in their classrooms, and there are times when they must use some form of discipline in order for class time to remain interesting and productive."  C.M. Charles in Building Classroom Discipline, fifth edition.

C.M. Charles describes the following models of discipline, which he terms "The Foundation Models."  These models are a good place to begin to form your own view of discipline in the classroom.  Become familiar with these models while determining how you want YOUR classroom to function.

•   The Redl and Wattenberg Model:  Discipline Through Dealing with the Group
•   The Neo-Skinnerian Model:  Discipline Through Shaping Desired Behavior
•   The Kounin Model:  Discipline Through Classroom Management
•   The Ginott Model:  Discipline Through Congruent Communication
•   The Dreikurs Model:  Discipline Through Democratic Teaching and Confronting Mistaken Goals
•   The Canter Model:  Discipline Through Assertively Managing Behavior
•   The Jones Model:  Discipline Through Body Language, Incentive Systems, and Efficient Help
•   The Glasser Model:  Discipline Through Meeting Needs Without Coercion
•   The Gordon Model:  Discipline Through Developing Self-Control
•   The Curwin and Mendler Model:  Discipline Through Dignity and Hope


TIPS FROM A TEACHER

When setting up your discipline system, you must first take into consideration a variety of things:
•   classroom size and shape and location in the school
•   student age
•   subject taught
•   classroom arrangement
•   teacher preferences
•   teacher tolerance
•   school guidelines
•   district and state guidelines
•   school environment
•   community values

Looking at all of these things before you begin to set up your discipline system will help you choose the most beneficial way of teaching your students.  However, don't be afraid to change the system if it doesn't work.  THAT IS A SIGN OF A GOOD TEACHER.  Saying, "I've always done it this way" doesn't mean much to concerned parents or interested administrators.