20th and 21st Century

Classroom Management
Pioneers
By Holly McCarthy
Fritz Redl and William Wattenberg
In 1951 Redl and Wattenberg came up with the theory that
group behavior effects an individuals behavior.
Redl and Wattenberg stated that a lot of the misbehavior
that happened with children was only detected when in
larger groups.
Redl and Wattenberg also stated that if teachers are to
understand student behavior they need to first understand
group dynamics.
The ideas of Redl and Wattenberg marked to beginning of
modern discipline.
The Redl and Wattenberg Model
In order to identify misbehavior you must:
1. Identify causes of typical behavior
2. Discuss student and teacher roles
3. Involve the student in the process of deciding an
appropriate to deal with the misbehavior
4. Use encouragement and support of self-control instead of
demands and Lectures
B.F. Skinner
Did research in the 1940s and 1950s.
He wanted to know how our voluntary actions are effected by what
happens immediately after we do an action.
He came to the conclusion that our actions are directly influenced by
what happens after we complete an action.
If we get reinforcement after completing an action we are more likely
to do that same action or one close to it again.
The same goes for the opposite. If we do not get reinforcement after
an action we are less likely to repeat that action.
Skinner believed that a particular stimulus can encourage a particular
behavior.
B. F. Skinner Cont
The Skinner Model:
When students conduct themselves in a correct manner, provide an
immediate reinforcement to encourage the repetition of a particular act.
This will help direct the child actions in the desired direction.
There are two types of reinforcement:
1. Constant Reinforcement- it is a reinforcement that is given every time
child does a desired action. This helps new learning to be established
quickly.
2. Intermittent reinforcement- Is given occasionally and is still sufficient to
maintaining the desired action. Reinforcement is meant to be given less
over time until it is no longer given.

William Glasser
William Glasser was a pioneer in the modern discipline
movement.
Glasser wrote a book in 1969 called Schools without
Failure.
His book was called one of the most influential education
books of the 20
th
century.

William Glasser Cont
Glassers suggestions for effectively dealing with students:
1. Focus on the present. Do not bring up or dwell on the past. Give
suggestions for solutions to problems.
2. Avoid blaming and being critical. These actions tear down
relationships.
3. Do not be judgmental. Explain that if old actions are not working new
actions are needed.
4. Do not get overwhelmed with excuses. Excuses prevent change.
5. Make a plan to connect with people that are important to you.
Evaluate your plan for results. Revise your plan if it is not working.
Jacob Kounin
Jacob Kounin did research on how highly effective teachers dealt with
classroom management.
In his studies Kounin noticed that some teachers promoted good
behavior and some teachers did not. Kounin wanted to know what the
difference between them was.
Kounin found that how teachers dealt with misbehavior did not have
as much of an effect as how they dealt with lessons and group work.
He also noticed that effective teachers made sure that their students
were alert, focused, and on task throughout the lesson.
Jacob Kounin Cont
The Kounin Model.
Be aware of what is happening in all areas of the classroom. Put
together lessons that:
1. That run smoothly and uninterrupted. Avoid dead spots and sudden
changes in activities.
2. Make sure that students are held accountable for paying attention and
participation.
3. Stop the lesson before students become overwhelmed with
information.
Hiam Ginott
Ginott wrote a book in 1971 called Teacher and Child.
His book outlined the roles of communicating and discipline in the
classroom.
Ginott also explained that how students learned and behaved was
greatly influenced by how the teacher communicated with their
students.
Ginott believed that each student is an individual and must be given
individual attention.
He also encouraged teachers to not prejudge their students.
The Ginott Model
Use consistent communication and clear messages to help
student's improve their behavior.
Invite students to cooperate with you and treat them with
respect.
Make sure to give praise to your students when they do
well and avoid strategies which students might see as
punishment.
Rudolf Dreikurs
Dreikurs died in 1972. Before he passed away he came up with two ideas that
were new to discipline.
First, all humans are born with the desire to belong somewhere.
When students did not satisfy this need they turned to attention-seeking,
power-seeking, and revenge-seeking behaviors. They also had a tendency to
withdraw.
Second, the best learning environment is in a democratic environment.
This kind of environment fosters student involvement, a sense of belonging,
and self-discipline.
Dreikurs notice that students who were involved in decision making were
treated like social equals by their teachers.
Dreikurs Model
The goal is to help students fulfill their need to belong in
the classroom.
Explain to students that are seeking mistaken goals the
misconception that they are going to get what they want
by doing so.
Maintain a democratic environment in the classroom.
This will promote a sense of belonging and students will
have the opportunity to be responsible in decision making.
Overview
Identify the causes of misbehavior.
Provide reinforcement for good behavior. Over time the reinforcement
should lessen over time until it is not longer given.
Avoid being critical of students or blaming them. These actions do not
promote a healthy relationship with the students.
To avoid dead time, make sure that the lesson runs smoothly and
uninterrupted.
Students are individuals and should be given individual attention.
When students act out trying to receive negative attention it is most
likely due to the student feeling like they do not belong.
To give students are sense of belonging invite students to participate in
decision making. A democratic environment is the most effective
learning environment.



Resources
C.M. Charles, G. Senter, and M. Charles. 2014. Building Classroom Discipline.
Eleventh Edition. Pearson Education. Saddle River, NJ.