Discipline policy in elementary schools

Discipline in Elementary Schools Discipline in elementary schools In elementary schools, instilling the art of respect amongst thestudents as well as the value of learning has proven to be a major challenge. In most cases, students are used to communicating in an informal way, they are used to employing violent methods to solve conflicts amongst themselves, and most of them usually form a negative mind-set in regards to learning and school in general (Greenwood, Kratochwill & Clements, 2008). Most of these problems are seen to crop up from the society
Schools also contribute towards the spreading of these problems. For example, the mode of lecturing that is used by most teachers is not as effective. It is seen to promote the art of cramming as opposed to reading and understanding the concept. Giving students tests that require them to fill in the blank spaces as opposed to those test that they are required to explain a particular concept is not advisable (Greenwood, Kratochwill & Clements, 2008). This makes the students not to be able to develop the art of making sound decision on their own. It degrades their level of thinking critically about what they have learned in class.
In order to promote a good discipline policy in the elementary schools, the following factors should be put under consideration:
1. Students should get involved in the process of making decisions
When the students get involved in the process of decision-making, they get to learn how they will be able to make their own sound decisions with ease. This is a very important aspect in a person’s life since it goes a long way in helping a person in his/her own personal as well as career life.
2. The students should be divided into groups
Group work enables the students to be able to discuss a given issue in unison. It enables the students to dispute an issue in an acceptable way. It enables a student in a group to appreciate the point raised by another student in the group, and not to only be in favor of the point that he/she has raised. It enables a student to be able to understand that another student’s point is just as good as his or hers.
3. The support of parents
Parents should support the school fraternity in instilling discipline in their children’s life. Most of the parents usually leave this task for the teachers, and this can be overwhelming for them. The parents should also take up the responsibility of disciplining their children. Therefore, the parents and the teachers should work hand-in-hand to ensure that the students are well disciplined.
4. Teachers Role
The teachers should take up their role diligently. They should use proper methods of disciplining students. They should not punish the students severely. They should give them punishments that are mild and proper. In case a student goes out of line, then the teacher should get the student’s parents and they should both talk to the student. Sometimes talking help solve a problem as opposed to flogging the student.
5. Administrative Role
The administration should also take up the role of disciplining the students. In the event that the teacher has not been successful in administering discipline to a particular student, then the school’s administration should come in. The major role of the school administration should be to advise the students and get them to understand the importance of proper discipline in one’s
References
Greenwood, C. R., Kratochwill, T. R., & Clements, M. (2008). Schoolwide prevention models:
Lessons learned in elementary schools. New York: Guilford Press.