Classroom Management
"The annual Gallup Poll of the public's attitudes toward public schools, published each September in Phi Delta Kappan, has for almost three decades identified lack of discipline as one of the biggest problems in public schools. In fact, the journal has singled out lack of discipline as the number one problem more often than any other. Classroom management strategies, a more palatable name for "discipline," clearly need some attention!"
Thus begins Robert Tauber's Classroom Management: Sound Theory and Effective Practice.
Robert Tauber is Professor Emeritus, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, Erie, The Behrend College. He has taught and counseled in K-12 and has taught at the university level for 35 years. While at Behrend College, he taught a variety of education courses, supervised students on field experience, and served as Dean's Representative for the College of Education. Since retiring from Penn State, Tauber continues to teach graduate courses as an Adjunct Professor at Gannon University, Erie, and as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Florida, Gainesville. He has published a number of interesting books, including Acting Lessons for Teachers: Using Performance Skills in the Classroom and Self-Fulfilling Prophecy: A Practical Guide to Its Use in Education.
But his Classroom Management Guide, now in its fourth edition, helps educators take a step back from their profession and observe what is going on in the classroom through the lens of theory and practice. Teachers are more accountable than ever: nowhere is that accountability more visible than in the manner in which they manage their classrooms. Tauber argues that teachers must either create or find and implement a discipline model that honestly works within the framework of the reality of the students in class and the ideology of what that teacher holds in terms of expectations for those students.
This is a guide for both the seasoned educator and the new teacher. Tauber presents six discipline models for readers to consider (listed from the most to the least interventionist in nature):
- James Dobson: A Place for Punishment
- Lee and Marlene Canter: Assertive Discipline
- Fredric H. Jones: Positive Discipline
- Rudolf Dreikurs: Social Discipline
- William Glasser: Reality Therapy, Choice Theory, and Quality Schools
- Thomas Gordon: Teacher Effectiveness Training
Classroom Management Guide also includes a summary of what other authors have to say on the subject of effectively managing students in the classroom setting. He includes a wide variety of ideas (some quite controversial) about student discipline and highlights a series of "A through Z" suggestions that teachers can implement immediately to effectively handle classroom problems. (A is for "Act; Don't Just React," B is for "Back Away," C is for "Catch Students Being Good" and so on).
Tauber has structured his book for both the quick read as well as the in-depth study. He begins his chapters with clear objectives and succinct summaries. Chapter 13, for example, is entitled "Violence in Today's Schools."
This chapter will help you, among other things, to:
- Understand several reasons for the increase in school violence.
- Identify the characteristics of a safe school.
- List the components of a good prevention program.
- List early warning signs that may indicate students will do violence to themselves or others.
- Understand how a crisis intervention team helps to prevent school violence.
- Understand the role of the teacher in dealing with a potentially violent student.
Although most schools are still considered safe places where children can learn, there is a growing concern about the increasing violence reported in our schools....
The last chapter of Classroom Management Guide takes a look at the often forgotten value of the Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC). Tauber reminds the reader that ERIC can provide the tools necessary to learn more about any and all topics related to classroom management.
The Advantage Press, Inc. publishes a number of behavior packets that can help educators successfully manage student behavior. You are welcome to try our free samples.