Classroom Discipline Tips
Know your basic goals in managing the classroom.
Most Bible teachers maintain these objectives:
That unbelieving children accept Jesus as Savior
That believing children grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ
Many teachers, however, are not sure how to foster a classroom environment conducive to the achievement of these goals.
Much of it ties into expectations. How applicable is the saying, "Aim at nothing and you'll hit it every time." You need to help students understand the goals and what is required of them in order to get there.
- Students must know what is expected of them. Develop rules and consequences that promote a "harvest of righteousness and peace"
(Heb. 12:11) and not simply crowd control. For greater ownership, allow students to participate in establishing classroom rules and consequences.
- Expect your students to assume responsibility for their behavior. Give them some choices and allow them to take some initiative in the learning process. Do not box them in so much with your way of doing things that they do not learn how to solve problems and work through life on their own. Do not let them sit passively without thinking things through on their own. "Because the teacher said so" is not sufficient for them to develop their own system of belief and conformity to God's Word.
- Make the development of internal control the ultimate objective. Rewards might have a place in certain situations but usually bring behavior into conformity and not necessarily the heart. Broaden your means of helping students align.
Take the time to evaluate what you expect from your students. Remember that when little is expected, little is given.
More on Discipline:
Dealing with Discipline Problems
An Umbrella for Classroom Discipline
Read more tips. Or, go beyond by using the discipline workbook.
click covers for more info
(Last updated 11/01/09)
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