Models/Approaches to

Classroom Management:
Barbara Coloroso-
Theory of Inner Discipline
Dr Leela Ramsook
 CM & Self-regulation
Self-regulated learning is a process that assists
students in managing their thoughts, behaviours,
and emotions in order to successfully navigate their
learning experiences (Zumbrunn, Tadlock, & Roberts,
2011).

Shanker (2012), “self-regulation refers to a child’s

ability to deal with stressors effectively and
efficiently and then return to a baseline of being
calmly focused and alert (p. 5).
Dr Leela Ramsook
Inner Discipline -Coloroso

Coloroso believes that

educators should work with
students to help them develop
inner discipline
(a self- regulated approach)
Dr Leela Ramsook
Coloroso -What is Inner
Discipline?
The ability to behave
creatively, constructively,
cooperatively, and
responsibly without being
directed by someone else.
Dr Leela Ramsook
 Inner Discipline - COLOROSO
I will not treat a child in a way I myself
would not want to be treated.

Coloroso believes that adults should

follow the Golden Rule and treat others
as they want to be treated.
Dr Leela Ramsook
COLOROSO – Self-reflection
The teacher should ask the questions
such as:
“Would I want that done to me?”

“How would I feel if someone did

that to me?”
Dr Leela Ramsook
COLOROSO - Teacher empathy
If teachers feel uncertain
about what they are doing
to students, they should
place themselves in the
students’ place to see how
they would feel.
Dr Leela Ramsook
Theory of Inner Discipline
Coloroso

• Believe that your students can

achieve.

• Allow students to maintain their

dignity.
Dr Leela Ramsook
 Key Concepts of Inner Discipline -
Coloroso
Treat students with respect – avoid
sarcasm and ridicule

Students should be taught ‘Inner

Discipline’ – teach them to accept
ownership of their problems

Teach students inner discipline rather

than use physical or verbal punishment
(destructive)
Dr Leela Ramsook
 Coloroso -
Set limits
Setting a limit is not the same as
issuing an ultimatum.

If you don’t finish the work

you will stay back at lunch.

Dr Leela Ramsook
 Coloroso
Setting limits

Redirecting students back to their behaviour and

creating a dilemma for which a decision is needed

What would you like to do? - go out to

lunch with the others or stay back after
you’ve had lunch so I can help you?
You decide.

Dr Leela Ramsook
 Coloroso
Setting limits
1. Explain which
5. Be prepared to behaviour
enforce is inappropriate
your consequences.

5 2. Explain why the

behaviour is inappropriate.
4. Allow time.

3. Give reasonable
choices
Dr Leela Ramsook
with consequences.
Coloroso Key Concepts of Inner
Discipline
Teachers should:
 avoid punishments and threats
(fright – fight - flight)
avoid rewards
 use assertive confrontation
 use a four-step approach to
discipline
Dr Leela Ramsook
Coloroso Assertive Confrontation - Seven
Rules for a Fair Fight

Speak the message assertively.

Tell the other person about your feelings.
State your belief but avoid destructive words.
Give direct feedback.
State what you want.
Be open to the other person’s perspective.
Negotiate an agreement.

Dr Leela Ramsook
 Coloroso - The Four Steps of Discipline
1. Show students what they should have done.

2. Give them as much ownership of the problem

as they are able to handle.

3. Provide options for solving the problem.

4. Leave their dignity intact.

Dr Leela Ramsook
 QUESTIONS to Ask: RSVP: Reasonable,
Simple, Valuable, Practical

Is it reasonable? Does the consequence fit the

problem?

Is it suitable? Making sure the child understands why

she is being asked to do this

Is it a valuable learning tool? Does the child take any

value from the lesson?

It is practical? Does the problem require a

consequence?
Dr Leela Ramsook
RSVP

Think of other appropriate words for

the acronym.

Dr Leela Ramsook
Coloroso Three Categories of
Teachers
Brickwall

Jellyfish

Backbone

…….teachers’ dispositions impact students and

their behavior.
Dr Leela Ramsook
 Coloroso – Brickwall Teachers
-
Characteristics
- Controlling
- Powerful
- Instill fear
- Lack of trust in students’ ability to develop inner
discipline
- Rigorous rules
- Humiliate students and suppresses their
uniqueness
- Teach students what to think rather than how to
think
Dr Leela Ramsook
 Coloroso – Jellyfish Teachers

Characteristics
Arbitrary and inconsistent rules
Uses threats
Scolds and demeans students
Allows anarchy and chaos

Dr Leela Ramsook
 Coloroso – Backbone Teachers

Characteristics
 Support students
Foster uniqueness and creativity
Negotiate clearly defined rules
Use democratic principles
Use natural and reasonable consequences
Encourage students to believe in themselves
Help students develop inner discipline
Dr Leela Ramsook
 Coloroso - 3 R’s of Discipline –
Restitution, Resolution, and Reconciliation
Restitution – allow student to fix what he/ she
did; involves repairing the physical damage (if
any) and the personal damage.

Resolution – determining a way not to let the

behavior happen again.

Reconciliation – honoring the restitution plan

and making a commitment to live up to the
resolution. Dr Leela Ramsook
 Coloroso – Who is charge of the
class?
To Coloroso, the teacher is
accountable for teaching
students Inner Discipline to
accept ownership for their
behavior and the responsibility
to take appropriate action to
address them.
Dr Leela Ramsook
Coloroso - Critical Life Messages
The teacher’s duty is to give critical life messages
such as:
“I believe in you”
“I trust you”
“I know you can handle this”
“You are listened to”
“You are cared for”
“You are very important”
 “You can behave responsibly”

Dr Leela Ramsook
Group Activity

Identify a behavioural problem and use the

four step approach to find a solution.
DEMONSTRATE your activity.
Review – the four steps of discipline
1. Show students what they should have done.
2. Give them as much ownership of the problem as they are able to handle.
3. Provide options for solving the problem.
4. Leave their dignity intact.

Dr Leela Ramsook
 How does your personal philosophy resonate with principles of Coloroso’s
Theory?

Dr Leela Ramsook
 How to change a bully
http://schools.hcdsb.org/mich/Safe%20Sch
ools/Barbara%20Coloroso
 1. intervene immediately with discipline
 2. create opportunities to “do good”
 3. nurture empathy
 4. teach friendship skills – assertive, respectful and peaceful ways
to relate to others
 5. closely monitor your child’s TV viewing, video game playing
computer activities and music
 6. engage in more constructive, entertaining and engaging
activities
 7. teach your child to “will good”
Dr Leela Ramsook
Assignment

 Read Chapter 6 on Coloroso – Inner Discipline

 Identify teachers roles and responsibilities as outlined by Coloroso

Dr Leela Ramsook
THE END

Dr Leela Ramsook
References

 Manning L. & Katherine T. Bucher, K. T. (2013). Classroom management

models applications and cases. (3rd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson
Education.

Dr Leela Ramsook
Classroom situation

1. Form 1 Test for all students

 Math Cheating

 2. Pelting another with paper

Cool down comer

3. Fracton ½ + ½
Laughing at the student - crying
Golden rule

Dr Leela Ramsook