In the first year of our journey toward using Discipline without Stress at my K-6 school, staff members decided to focus on improving common concerns within the school as a whole. Our first goal was to improve student behavior at school assemblies. Following Part I of the DWS Teaching Model, we began by establishing school-wide [...]
Non-verbal Cues for Procedures
In discipline situations, Dr. Marshall suggests that before moving to the second phase of the Raise Responsibility System—Checking for Understanding—effective teachers will first try to make use of various “unobtrusive techniques.” These are explained in detail on pp. 90-93 of DISCIPLINE WITHOUT STRESS, PUNISHMENTS or REWARDS. The use of very simple techniques involving body language, [...]
In just two weeks, I’m completely overwhelmed with discipline problems!
QUESTION: School has been in session for just two weeks. This is my first year of using the DISCIPLINE without STRESS approach. Already I find myself completely overwhelmed with discipline and behavior issues. I’m actually feeling quite a bit of stress about discipline! What should I do? DR. MARSHALL’S RESPONSE: Revisit the four-part DISCIPLINE without [...]
The Importance of an Attention Management Signal
Dr. Marshall encourages teachers at any level, to establish classroom procedures as the first step in using the DISCIPLINE without STRESS Teaching Model. Regardless of the age of the students, an important procedure to teach on the first day of school, or a term, is one that allows the teacher to quiet the students and [...]
I’d like more ideas for effective attention management signals.
QUESTION: I have just finished reading the section of Dr. Marshall’s book, Discipline without Stress, Punishments or Rewards, dealing with the importance of creating, teaching and practicing procedures for attention management (p. 206-7.) I’d like some more ideas for how to effectively get the attention of students in the classroom. RESPONSE: Yes, it is a [...]
Any suggestions for getting started with this discipline approach in a school library?
QUESTION: I’m the librarian in a K-8 school. I have been looking for a good discipline program and am really interested in DWS. Any tips or suggestions for successfully getting started in this type of teaching situation? RESPONSE: In any teaching situation, good classroom management lays the foundation for effective discipline. Leave nothing to chance. [...]
My teaching partner and I have always provided a home reading program for our grade one students. We give each one a ziplock bag in which to store their home reading books and every morning they make an exchange, taking two new books home. Well, that’s the theory of it anyway! In reality, we have [...]
How can I get immature students to listen and behave themselves?
QUESTION: I am a student teacher in a 1st grade class. Love the kids but I have a really hard time getting them to listen during our morning meeting time. At least three are ADD but some are just immature. The kids seem to enjoy the activities and greetings I present but the inattention/etc is [...]
What is the difference between classroom management and discipline?
QUESTION: Can you explain the difference between classroom management and discipline? DR. MARSHALL’S RESPONSE: Although related, classroom management and discipline are distinctly different topics. They should not be lumped together as if they were synonymous. CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT deals with how things are done. It has to do with procedures, routines, classroom structure and is the [...]
