Discipline with Dignity: How to Build Responsibility, Relationships, and Respect in Your Classroom

In this revised and updated 4th edition, Discipline with Dignity provides in-depth guidance for implementing a proven approach to classroom management that can help students make better choices and teachers be more effective. Emphasising the importance of mutual respect and self-control, the authors offer specific strategies and techniques for building strong relationships with disruptive students and countering the toxic social circumstances that affect many of them, including dysfunctional families, gangs, and poverty. Educators at all levels can learn

• The difference between formal and informal discipline systems and when to use each.
• The role of values, rules, and consequences.
• How to address the underlying causes of discipline problems that occur both in and out of school.
• What teachers can do to defuse or prevent classroom disruptions and disrespectful behaviour without removing students from the classroom.
• Why traditional approaches such as threats, punishments, and rewards are ineffective—and what to do instead.
• How to use relevance, teacher enthusiasm, choice, and other elements of curriculum and instruction to motivate students.
• How to reduce both teacher and student stress that can trigger power struggles

With dozens of specific examples of student-teacher interactions, Discipline with Dignity illustrates what you can do—and not do—to make the classroom a place where students learn and teachers maintain control in a non confrontational way. The goal is success for all, in schools that thrive.

Table of Contents

Dedication

Acknowledgments

Introduction: What Is Discipline with Dignity?

Core Beliefs and Principles

Out-of-School and In-School Causes of Discipline Problems

Threats, Punishments, and Rewards: Why Most Traditional Discipline Methods Don't Work

The Keys to Changing Behavior

The Power of Prevention

Formal Discipline: The Social Contract

Taking Action: The Informal Discipline System

Interrupting Misbehavior with Good Teaching

Managing Stress Effectively

Strategies for Students Who Chronically Misbehave

Special Challenges

Guide for Administrators

Conclusion

Appendix: Questions and Answers

References