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The Language of Discipline

Directed Choices​

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  • Rather, than demand a desired action from the student, while remaining calm and respectful, give the student a direct choice that both result in the desired action.

Using Questions​

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  • Do not ask the student why he/she is behaving in a certain way, as this does little to help the student get back on task.

  • Asking questions in regards to behaviour such as "Why are you talking?" can only create conflict and further negative behaviour.

  • Instead of asking the student questions about the behaviour, get them to refocus by asking if you can help them with anything.

Clarifying Consequences​

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  • Where students continue to distract others, the teacher should briefly clarify the consequence. Take the example of a student who continues fiddling with his phone after being given a directed choice, “On my table or in your bag.” The teacher will go back and clarify the consequence for that student, “If you continue to have the phone on your desk, I’ll have to follow this up with you after class time.” This is said, not as a threat, but as a clear awareness of the student’s responsibility. Most students will grudgingly, often with muttered sighs and raised eyes, put the object away. At this point, it will help to tactically ignore such ‘secondary behaviours’ (Rogers, 2011).

Using Direct Questions​

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  • If asking questions in discipline contexts, use direct interrogative forms “What…?”, “When…?”, “How…?”, “Where…?” rather than "Why...?" or "Are you...? This enables the student to focus on what they need to think about or do relative to the context of the question.

References​

 

Giving directions

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  • Focus on the language when giving directions. eg. when directing a student to not call out, rather than say 'Don't call out' say 'Hand up thanks'.

  • Try to you use the word 'thanks' instead of 'please' as this will inform students that it is a direction and not a request.

  • When giving directions, focus on what you want to see from the student, rather than what you don't want to see.

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