Adam Bumsted
T O P I C :
3 Strikes and You're Out
Adam Poses the Question. . . .
September 10, 2007
How do you all feel about a three strikes and you're out policy for classroom misbehavior? My mentor feels that we need to do our best to not let our emotions take us over when trying to discipline students. He feels that by giving his students chances to stop he prevents some disruptive behavior. However, by allowing our students to test us and see how much we can take, are we really managing our class in the best way possible? Or should students be reprimanded on the first instance of breaking classroom behavior? What do you all think?
Anthony Halter answers. . . .
September 14, 2007
I personally think that three strikes and you're out backs the teacher into a corner more than the student. Students that are going to act out are going to do so no matter if you give them three strikes or forty. Three strikes says I can push it twice with nothing happening. Furthermore, "out" may be where they want to be.
To me, discipline works best when there is no other option than to behave. Of course, you need the support of the administration and mentor teacher.
Megan Murry answers. . . .
September 25, 2007
I do agree with Anthony that students are going to act out if given three strikes or forty. However, I think it is also important to remember that our students are still kids and that, in most cases, second chances are warranted.
I think three strikes are okay, BUT these strikes need to be clear, known to the student, and come with something more than just a verbal warning or mark on the board. Actions need to be taken that serve as some type of record of warning and student misbehavior. For example, maybe on the first strike, students are asked to the hall or to stay after class to discuss the issue with the teacher. On the second strike, a phone call home is made. Then, if students make it to the third strike, further disciplinary action is taken. This could mean they are assigned detention, sent to the administration, etc.
Simply giving students verbal warning about first, second, and third strikes and chances is not enough. Like Anthony commented, this leaves too much room for students to push the teacher into a corner. Without written record or some type of stated policy, "strikes" will carry no weight (especially to those students who need them the most!). I think everybody deserves second (and in this case third) chances, but students MUST know where they stand in your discipline system and what will happen if they choose to misbehave.
Jessica Skordal answers. . . .
September 25, 2007
I've struggled with how much is too much in this first couple of weeks of the internship. Here at BHS, we have a very strict discipline system that follows the student around the school. My answer to your question is to not allow any strikes. I have come up with this discipline plan in my classroom and it has worked famously. I have a spiral notebook I call the "Discipline Notebook." If a student misbehaves during class, I put their name in the discipline notebook. From there they begin to receive checkmarks. The first check mark is 15 minutes of detention with me after school, the second in 30 minutes, the fourth is 45 minutes and the fifth is a trip to the principal's office. Everyday the students get a new chance at not having their name in the notebook. This has really helped get my classes under control without giving such a harsh punishment to the students. Try forming your own classroom discipline procedure (with the help of your mentor of course) and see how it works for you!
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