There are many forms of discipline in the schools of the world. It is difficult to know just which methods work best.
To talk to the problem child in class or alone? Although it may seem best to yell at the child in front of the class to create maximum embarrassment, the lone method seems to work better. By talking to the child alone, he or she has no peers to impress and is less apt to mock you. As well, a student feels much smaller when alone with a teacher than when he or she is in the midst of a large group of peers. This can lead to fear, repentance, and reform; all of these are essential to resolution of the problem.
Detention or Extra Homework?
Here is a hard one. Detention is usually more effective. If a student is misbehaving in class, there is a great possibility that he or she will not bother to do the extra homework. This will leave you, the teacher, in a sticky situation the next day. If you schedule a detention, you do have extra work for yourself, but the student is sure to be punished. A compromise between the two is having the student do a set amount of work during the detention and allowing him or her to leave if he or she finishes early.
Down to the Principal or Out in the Hall? Students dread going to the principal and would much rather sit in the hall. The seriousness of the offense should guide you in your decision. Don’t send a student directly to the principal unless they have done something despicable. Give them a warning. Be wary of the hall, however, because a student sitting all alone is likely to attract other students walking by.
Rewarding the Good or Punishing the Bad? Many teachers ignore the good students and spend their time on punishing the bad ones. I know some math teachers who give out rewards called math bucks for various good things a student does. These include homework, answering questions, and coming to class prepared. Math Bucks allow students to leave the room for a washroom break. They can also be handed in on test days for extra marks. This entices the students to do the things the teacher desires so that they can win some math bucks. It is also an excellent way to reward good students.
In younger grades the entire class puts their heads down if the majority is acting up. This calms down the room quickly. It is easier to control younger students because they tend to be more