Discipline with Dignity: A Classroom Behavioral Model by Richard Curwin and Allen Mendler

Discipline with Dignity focuses on long-term behavioral change, rather than quick fixes. Instead of basing the model on obedience, Curwin and Mendler have chosen to base the model on responsibility. Consequently, Discipline with Dignity is not founded on rewards and punishments but on values - the idea of learning right from wrong in any setting, not just school.

Curwin and Mendler have twelve guidelines for effectively utilizing Discipline with Dignity in your classroom.

1. Let the students know what you expect. This means establishing and posting clear rules and consequences.

2. Provide instruction at levels that match student ability. In other words, where is the dignity in not being able to comprehend the material being learned in the classroom? Inability to understand will only lead to discipline problems.

3. Listen to what the students are thinking and feeling. Being able to identify with your students makes them feel important and understood.

4. Use humor. It de-fuses a potentially harmful situation without violence or accusation. Just make sure not to make students the butt of your jokes.

5. Vary your style of presentation. Doing the same activity for too long makes students restless and prone to outbursts of inappropriate behavior.

6. Offer choices. Make it seem like the student has some say in what happens. For example, "You can do your assignment now or during recess."

7. Refuse to accept excuses. This ensures that you treat students equally. If there are legitimate excuses for late homework, poor behavior, etc., they will need to be posted along with your expectations.

8. Legitimize behavior that you cannot stop. Generally, if you take something that is against the rules and make it acceptable, it ceases to be fun for the students.

9. Use hugs and touching to communicate with kids of all ages. Obviously, this must be used with caution because of sexual misunderstanding, abused students, etc. However, you want to communicate human warmth and caring, and kind words will only get you so far.

10. Be responsible for yourself and allow kids to take responsibility for themselves.

11. Realize and accept that you cannot reach every kid. Some of them choose to fail and this is not your decision.

12. Start fresh everyday. What happened yesterday is finished.

Discipline with Dignity has five goals

1. Effective Communication

2. De-fusing Potentially Explosive Situations

3. Reducing Violence

4. Preparing Children For Their Future

5. Valuing and Protecting Opportunities For Learning

By observing the 12 guidelines listed above, you are one step closer to accomplishing these goals.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Curwin, Richard, and Allen Mendler. Discipline With Dignity. Virginia: Association for Supervision & Curriculum Development, 1999