Teaching > Theory and Practice

Middle School Discipline

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faery_lights:
I was wondering if I could gather some opinions on discipline. I would really value the input of other teachers. Basically, I teach at an all-boys Middle school in Ulsan where the teacher's still carry and use the so called 'love sticks'. As such, I have found it really difficult to establish a discipline system that the students respect and respond to, leaving much of the discipline to the Korean teachers.

I suspect many of my issues have come from being a first time teacher and that my trying to use different methods, rather than finding a method that works, has instead resulted in an inconsistent approach. I have some co-teachers who are wonderful in aiding me with classroom management and others who are ineffectual at best. I want to gain more independence in the classroom and rely less on the Korean teachers for discipline. I do feel that my school perhaps takes the easy way out; I've been told not to set homework (No point, the kids won't do it) or give detentions (no point, the kids won't show up) both of which if done properly could be effective.

I am already planning a reward system for next semester which I am hoping will help- Class with the most points at the end of the semester will win a Pizza Party, each class starts with 10 points, can add  or take away as class progresses. Individual behaviour will be considered. I am also going to do a 'Student of the Month' for those who participate most effectively in class to encourage participation.


I don't want to use corporal punishment on my students; I understand that the Koreans do, but it doesn't quite work for me personally or professionally and I really don't want this to be a discussion on that issue. I would however love some tips or ideas on how to effectively discipline the students who do misbehave in the context of this happening.

Thank you in advance :)

iggyb:
It's a tough question, because much of it is a matter of personality and individual style.  My primary CT is very good at classroom management and she does it using a low voice and an angry face.  I don't know why her style works or how she does it.  I do OK with raising my voice (not yelling) and humor.  An authoritarian, drill instructor approach can work too if you have a personality that fits it. 

Some general ideas:

- Yes, be consistent and from the beginning.  If you seem inconsistent and lack confidence, you're done for the year.

- Start strict and loosen up as you go.  This might sound contradictory, but it isn't.  You can get away with establishing discipline and authority early on and loosing up later on.  You can't get away with it the other way around. 

- Don't start out trying to be their friend.  You see this with new high school teacher back home.  They think they can win control and respect from the students by offering a lot of honey early on and being pals.  Students test the teacher early on to see what they can get away with, and if they think you are a push over, it makes the year hard.

- Do show the students that you care about who they are - their futures and their lives and their opinions and their education.

- Maybe read the book Fires in the Bathroom.

http://www.amazon.com/Fires-Bathroom-Advice-Teachers-Students/dp/1565848020

It has a lot of feedback from teens in schools, especially difficult schools, in the US.  You'd be surprised how many of the problem students say the teachers they came away respecting the most were the ones who were strict but fair and consistent.

I'm not a disciplinarian.  My style is being able to make students laugh but also pushing them to give me production and letting them know right away when they are causing problems.  They see early on that the more they act up, the more trouble I'm going to give them - but - if they cooperate, I'll try to keep the class interesting and entertaining as well as productive and that I'll try to mix up the activities.

iggyb:
You might have more control here in Korea at a middle school than I have in elementary. 

- Seating charts and moving them around after a class where they have been bad collectively can have some influence. 

- Assigned seating at the start of the year with the possibility of self-seating later on in the semester for good behavior.

- A wangta isolation desk for a student(s) who won't obey that class.

Similarly, I haven't seen any of my CTs do it this year, but making the student go to the back of the room and kneel down and hold their hands up is something I've heard Korean teachers say they use effectively, and I've seen it on TV dramas.
 

wtoddm:
1. Never ever go 0 to 60. Always build your "anger" in an equal and opposite reactionary way.
2. Be consistent yes, but in practical terms that means (to me) giving one warning, one firm and explicit warning with stern explanation of what will happen if they do ____ again, then following up on the threat.
3. Secret weapon: show them a large timer on the screen (http://www.online-stopwatch.com/full-screen-stopwatch/ and tell them every minute they're wasting of your time, you will keep them sitting and silent after the bell rings to waste theirs. It's great. The kids (good or bad) will exert self-control as you wait patiently and sadistically. Of course YOU MUST FOLLOW THROUGH if you do indeed to this. I think it'll really help out given you have all boys.

Yu_Bumsuk:
Are you teaching them in an English room or regular classroom? If it's in an English room you might want to try bringing them back to their regular classrooms for a few lessons where they're all seated in rows according to their HR teacher's plan. Then, when you get a bit more routine down, you can tell them that they can go to the English room if they'll pay attention and stay on task.

If you really don't like love-sticks you could try carrying a "pointer".

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