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In his book Discipline and Group Management in Classrooms, Jacob Kounin reports a study in which a list of teachers of orderly classrooms and teachers of disorderly classrooms was first compiled. The study team observed and videotaped both groups of teachers in action, and then compared the two. Do you suppose the study favored the meanest teachers or the nicest teachers? Neither. Rather, the study favored the teachers who were most prompt in snuffing out minor disturbances before the ripple effect sets in.
The scene changes to the after-school room at Kozy Korner Day Care. Outside, it is unseasonably hot for September and the children are unwilling to go outdoors. I am engrossed in supervising the children who show interest in my bells and my chord organ. Occasionally, children run past me, I restrain them, and I remind them that we don't run indoors. Other than that, I remain engrossed in my music program. Gradually, the disorder grows to the point at which missiles are flying everywhere, children are running everywhere, and toys are being dumped all over the floor. Never mind the rule about cleaning up before you leave the room; I have to get the kids out of the room while there still is a room. "Everybody line up at the door! We're going outside!" "But I don't wanna go outside!" "Too bad! When I see running, and when I see throwing, that tells me we have to go outside!" The children then unwilling straggle outside. I hope none of them had learned that ex post facto legislation is un-Constitutional. Kounin would be very unhappy with me. Same scene, the next day. Again, it is unseasonally hot, and the children are similarly unwilling to go outdoors. This time, I am as zealous about my music program as I was before, and a few more children are showing interest. This time, I stop after every song and make sure that all of the children are constructively occupied. I catch one of the children who runs past me and ask, "Do we need to go outside?" This brought a resounding "No!" from all of the children. After a while, I notice that more gross motor activity is taking place than before. The children now know how I interpret running and throwing, so no one protests when I tell them to line up. This time, Kounin would be happier with me. Click to subscribe to the DISCIPLINE mailing list: Go To Page: 1
The copyright of the article A Stitch in Time in Classroom Discipline is owned by . Permission to republish A Stitch in Time in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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