Disciplining a child should be used only when the situation callas for it. I handle discipline problems the easiest way possible. I try to deal with the problem before the problem begins or gets out of hand. I make myself clear in the beginning of the school year the rules of the class. I make it know what will and will not be tolerated. My main rule is that everyone is to respect one another. When a problem arises I, disucss the situation with the students involve seeing if we can come to a solution together. If this is not possible then I handle the situation the best way I seen fit. Depending on the problem I may issue a verbal warning the first time around. For instance if a student is being rude to the class, then the student has to come to the front of the class and apologize to the entire class. I will involve the principal and the parents for problems such as fighting and unexcused absences. If a student is, has a serious discipline problem then a progress report or a recommendation for extra help may be issued. I may ask a student to leave my class if they are becoming to disruptive. I' ll take away free class time or assign extra assignments. I also make phone calls home or ask the parent to come in for a conference. I always try to make the punishment fit and I also stick to the punishment.
One incident that was most challenge for me was two students who fought every chance they had. They were suspended for a couple of days and their parents were brought in for a conference. A week after they returned to school they were fighting again. Instead of suspending them the parents, principal, students, and I had another conference. We allowed both sides to explain the reasons for the constant fighting and what could be done about the situation. We decided that they would have to spend two days a week with each other for three months doing some type of community serve. They also had attended a discipline class and give a presentation on the effects of violence.
