Discipline Answers

QUESTION: When a child does something they shouldn’t, I follow DWS and elicit the consequence from them.  There have been times however when I’ve been faced with children who don’t know how to think and apply consequences.  What do you suggest? DR. MARSHALL’S RESPONSE: Elicit a consequence only when a youngster has done something that [...]

QUESTION: I’m having trouble picturing how the DWS process can be done with an entire class at once.  I can see how the conversation works with one child but how would you deal with a whole class that is misbehaving?  Do you ask each child to tell you what level they’re on? RESPONSE (from a [...]

I had an interesting experience on Thursday evening during my Parent Teacher Interviews which were to be “student led.” I prepared a typical list of classroom areas for parents and child to visit on a “Kindergarten Tour” and the children practiced explaining about activities we do at each one.  Things like:  ”Here is my book box.  I’ll read you some books that I’ve made.” During several of the interviews, older [...]

QUESTION: When might a teacher involve students in creating procedures? RESPONSE: Although Dr. Marshall outlines in the DWS Teaching Model that it is the teacher’s responsibility to create procedures for the classroom, there are also some situations in which a teacher might effectively involve their students in the process. 1.  As time goes on in [...]

QUESTION: Who should make the procedures?  Is this something the teacher dictates or something the kids come up with?  For example, I have been thinking about how I want to teach my first grade class to “turn and talk.” I want them to: Find someone who is nearby (rather than go across the room to [...]

Here’s a very simple picture book with a poignant message that can be appreciated by readers of any age.  It’s brilliant! Told in just 7 sentences it is the quintessential story of  ”what might have been.”  It will touch your heart and inspire you to reach out to others! Mr. Duck and Mr. Rabbit are neighbors. [...]

In preparation for a new school year, I’ve been looking at lots of picture books lately.  One I picked up is the famous “Lily’s Purple Plastic Purse” by Kevin Henkes.  I can’t quite believe it myself but I’d never read this book before––and it’s been available for 14 years!  Turns out, it’s a great story [...]

QUESTION: Last week I discussed what each level looks like with my class. Now this week the kids are not very well behaved in the hallway.  I’ve prompted them by saying “Check your level.”  The two kids that have the most issues can pinpoint what level they’re at––and also what level they need to be [...]

QUESTION: I’d like to put my student’s names on clothespegs and then move them to different levels on the Hierarchy chart if they misbehave or do something at a high level?  Does this fit with the DWS approach? RESPONSE: Although it might seem as if clothepegs on the Hierarchy chart create a concrete visual to help remind [...]

QUESTION: This is my first year of teaching first grade.  I’ve brainstormed a list of classroom activities and now I want to make procedures for each one.  I’m not sure how to go about it though.  Can you give me an example? RESPONSE: Sure!  Let’s take the example of planning procedures for Show and Tell. [...]