I was there once, but it was a long time ago. Yoda was a young muppet with a full head of hair and a gnarly beard. I was once a beginning teacher with little to no ideas regarding classroom discipline. Sure, I had read all the textbooks in college, understood different educational philosophies, and did very well after painstaking preparations for college exams. But I had scant experiences putting my own theories into practice. I ended every request with a polite “please” and expected everything to go smoothly, my students wide-eyed and anticipating my every word. Is that not what the textbook pictures always show?
Naturally, saying please and thank you make for excellent table side manners and teach oft-overlooked etiquette that is missing at children’s homes. But middle school students, much like ravenous piranhas, can smell fresh meat and can tell new teachers from practiced professionals. This is why an opening day policy that I call my “1-2-3 strikes your out rule” offers students a clear-cut discipline plan to follow.
So what exactly does it mean? The name is self-explanatory. A student gets two warnings regarding off-task behavior. Warning number three automatically results in being sent out of the classroom (or, in terms for fans of the reality TV series Survivor, voted off the island). For this plan to be effective, a second teacher should know your discipline procedure and act as a “teammate” for when a student gets sent to their classroom. The second teacher’s classroom should also be in close proximity to your own so a child does not wander off after being sent out. A next door teacher is an optimal choice.
Strike One: Verbal Warning
Everybody has a bad day. A student might be in the middle of a parent argument. A relative might have passed. Or maybe the new Justin Beiber album was not as explosive as anticipated. Whatever the case, a transgression in behavior can be expected by students. After all, they are kids! A class disruption will result in step one, indicated by going over to the students desk, making eye contact, and telling them as much while holding up one finger (preferably the index finger, otherwise expect parents to barnstorm the administrators office in droves). Keep an even tone and discuss the transgression briefly with the student and move on. Keeping things brief discipline-wise means there will not be a ripple-effect in educational momentum. In many cases, step one is as far as many will go, but of course, some will want to test deeper waters.
Strike Two: Brief Student Conference
I often tell my kitten not to jump on the table. She learns after I spray her with water. But she is still curious…what if I attempt to jump on the table again? Will he really spray…or will he forget to spray this time? A student may want to “jump on the table again” to test your discipline method, especially if you are green out of college. And why shouldn’t they? Consistency is the name of the game and if a student misbehaves a second time, a brief conference with the ‘lil rebel is in the cards. I usually conduct my “interviews” at my podium with a finger wag and a simple “come on up please” in a deadpan and serious tone. Here again, discuss the behavior, remind them of what is expected and tell them they are on strike two. Send them back to their seat without another word. Keep it short and simple. Listen to the “meows” of protest but do not bend in procedure.
Strike Three: ‘Yer out!
Every so often I will take in a baseball game. I inwardly smile when a player at bat takes strike three and then accusingly looks back at the umpire. Some yell and pout. Some stare. Some stomp their feet. But none of this is going to change the umpires mind. In every baseball game I have ever seen, I have never seen an umpire change his mind once he calls a strike. He does not call timeout, apologize to the batter, and tell the nationwide viewing audience that it was a missed call. (Well…ok… he might Twitter about it later, but never during the game itself). As umpires of the classroom, one must stand firm on strike three. If a student demonstrates off-task behavior a third time in a given day, he needs to be sent out. Doing anything less can give other students ideas that misbehaving is not frowned upon and acceptable. Some will balk at the consequence. Much like an umpire, make it clear that your call stands. Use the broken record technique if necessary until a student leaves. If a student is a repeat “striker-outer” in class, establish parent contact early and often.
Obviously, this discipline procedure is not one size fits all. If a student curses at you, flips you the angry bird, or starts pummeling another student in your class, the three strike policy does not apply. But for fresh-faced newbie educators and Yoda-aged theorists alike, it remains a decent approach to handling students who want to administer a test even before you do!
More from this Contributor:
Teachers: Take Your Arguments Out Of Students’ View
The Advantages of Keeping a Teacher Reflection Journal
5 Phrases Your Child’s Teacher Does Not Want to Hear