By Karla Erika García Luis

 Discipline is defined as the practice of

teaching others to obey rules or norms by
using punishment to correct unwanted
behaviors. In a classroom, a teacher uses
discipline to ensure routine is maintained,
school rules are enforced, and the students
are in a safe learning environment. While the
word discipline seems negative, the goal of
using discipline is to teach students
boundaries and limits to help students
achieve personal and academic life goals.
 Without discipline, learning cannot be
accomplished. If students constantly disrupt
the teacher, the others in class are affected. If
a student does not follow the rules and does
not complete classwork or homework, that
student is missing out on valuable learning
opportunities. The goal of discipline is to
ensure each student receives the most from
their education.
 Another word for discipline
 discipline Synonyms
 discipline
 n.
 A state of order or control
 orderliness, order, control, self-control, restraint, self-
restraint, moderation, self-discipline, obedience, decorum,
subordination to rules of conduct, system, method,
methodicalness, rigor, spit and polish*.
 A system of obedience
 training, drill,
drilling, regimentation, regulation, limitation, curb, indoctr
ination, brainwashing, preparation, development, exercise,
inculcation, regimen, strictness, tight rein, firm hand, iron
hand, chastisement, correction; drill, punishment, training.
 discipline Synonyms
 discipline
 v.
 To regulate
 train, control, drill, keep in line;
 To punish
 chastise, correct, limit;
 Another word for discipline
 noun Something, such as loss, pain, or confinement,
imposed for wrongdoing:
 castigation chastisement, correction, penalty, punish
ment.
 An area of academic study that is part of a larger
body of learning:
 branch, specialty.
 Verb
 To impart knowledge and skill to:
 coach, educate, instruct, school, teach, train, tutor.
 To subject (one) to a penalty for a wrong:
 castigate, chastise, correct, penalize, punish.
 Students, as well as teachers, spend a
majority of their time in classrooms and in
school. The classroom should, therefore, be a
stress-free environment where students and
teachers feel comfortable spending so much
time.
 It is essential to have a well-managed
classroom to improve classroom efficiency
and create an environment conducive to
learning. A well-managed classroom is not
limited to discipline, unlike the popular belief
that discipline is the only vital management
skill a teacher must have. There are various
characteristics that describe a well-managed
and efficient classroom.
 Student Engagement
Classroom management includes various
aspects, but one of the most vital is that the
students are engaged. A well-managed
classroom will keep the students engaged at
all times in the learning process. Students are
involved in the learning process, which helps
foster higher-level thinking skills in students.
Teaching creatively can be a major factor in
student engagement because a lesson that is
not interesting will cause the students to stop
listening and become distracted. A more
creative teaching method will capture the
student's attention and allow them to focus.
 Clear Expectations
Expectations such as class objectives are clear in
a well-managed classroom. Students know the
material they will be tested on, as well as the
teacher's expectations for the various
assignments they will be graded on. This also
allows for efficiency in the classroom because
students manage their time accordingly to move
from one task to another effectively. A good way
to ensure that students are clear on what the
class objectives are is to write the daily tasks on
the board at the beginning of each lesson, as well
as write any exam dates in a place that students
can see regularly.
 Effective Time Management
To minimize wasted time and improve
efficiency, a well-managed classroom has
good time-management skills. The students
know which areas in the classroom are
accessible to them, as well as where items are
placed in the classroom. They also know
exactly what to expect from each class in
order to ensure good time management.
Procedures for distractions such as using the
bathroom are in place to avoid minimizing
the time students can spend on tasks during
class time.
 Positive Work Environment
A positive work environment is one of the
main characteristics of a well-managed
classroom. Students are comfortable asking
the teacher questions. The classroom
environment is also stress-free to ensure a
good workflow and positive environment.
Decorating the classroom, as well as allowing
the students to participate in classroom
decorating, can help encourage a positive
work environment.
 Firm Discipline
Discipline is an important factor in well-managed
classrooms and one of the main characteristics.
Students have clear and firm guidelines on which
behaviors are allowed in the classroom and which
are not, which allows students to remain
disciplined and encourage an efficient workflow.
Simple things such as guidelines on going to the
bathroom or raising their hands when speaking
are in place to help keep a positive and effective
work environment. Students should also be given
positive reinforcement and praise for appropriate
behavior and good work to help encourage them
and others in the classroom.
 Maintaining Classroom Discipline
 Promoting Good Methods of Classroom
Discipline
 Helping students to govern their own
behavior in ways that help them learn is a
longstanding goal of all teachers. There are a
number of ways that a teacher can promote
good discipline in the classroom.
 Know school guidelines for discipline
procedures.
 Be fair, positive and consistent. Be the kind of
person young people can like and trust—firm,
fair, friendly, courteous, enthusiastic and
confident. Keep your sense of humor.
 Provide a list of standards and consequences
to parents and students. Make sure they are
consistent with district and building policy.
When in doubt, ask a colleague or your
principal.
 Provide a list of standards and consequences to
parents and students. Make sure they are
consistent with district and building policy. When
in doubt, ask a colleague or your principal.
 Keep your classroom orderly. Maintain a cheerful
and attractive classroom rather than a disorderly
one which might encourage disruptive behavior.
 Get to know your students. Learn their names
quickly and use them in and out of class. You will
soon develop almost a sixth sense for
anticipating trouble before it begins, but don’t
act as though you expect trouble or you will
almost certainly encounter some.
 Let the students know you care. Determine
jointly with the class what is acceptable in terms
of behavior and achievement and what is not.
Show interest in what students say, whether or
not it pertains directly to the lesson.
 Treat students with the same respect you expect
from them; keep confidences.
 Learn the meaning of terms, especially slang,
used by students.
 Begin class on time and in a professional
manner.
 Make learning fun. Make education interesting
and relevant to the students’ lives. Poor planning
and a full curriculum can provoke disruptions.
 Praise good work, good responses and good
behavior.
 Don’t threaten or use sarcasm. Never use threats
to enforce discipline. Never humiliate a child.
 Avoid arguing with students. Discussions about
class work are invaluable, but arguments can
become emotional encounters.
 Be mobile, moving around the room as
students work or respond to instruction.
 Keep your voice at a normal level. If “disaster”
strikes and you trip over the wastebasket,
don’t be afraid to laugh.
 Grade assignments and return them as soon
as possible.
 Give reasonable assignments. Don’t use
schoolwork as punishment. Give clear
directions.
 Keep rules simple. Establish as few classroom
rules as possible, and keep them simple.
 https://education.gov.gy/web/index.php/tea
chers/tips-for-teaching/item/1521-
characteristics-of-a-well-managed-
classroom
 https://thesaurus.yourdictionary.com/discipli
ne
 https://mtea.weac.org/resources/new-
teachers/teacher-tips/maintaining-
classroom-discipline/