My Personal System of Discipline by Nosson Schuman

Great learning can only be achieved when theres cooperation and order in the classroom. I plan on presenting my classroom rules and procedures on the first day of school and to start enforcing them immediately. If the class decorum is well maintained, the learning will come naturally; progress and satisfaction will be felt by all. Personal Belief Statement I love teaching. A year ago I was pondering, toward which path I should steer my career? I concluded: I want to teach Jewish High School. I enrolled in the Azrieli Accelerated Masters Program and I couldnt be happier with my decision. Now I have formal training and proven pedagogical methods to do this task better than ever. I love the creative aspect of teaching. I relish the challenge of formulating new classes, thinking of new ways to impart knowledge, and learning the new technologies of the craft. I enjoy the art of acting before the class, seeing their intrigued faces and I feel triumphant when I witness their comprehension and progress. Its a privilege and responsibility to train the next generation. I believe G-d has created me for this task, and I feel the burden to represent Judaism properly for His sake and theirs.

My Needs In order for me to be able to impart this Divine knowledge, and help these students live their lives as educated, upstanding Jews, I need a well-managed classroom. I need order, their respect, good behavior and active participation. I will have to organize the classroom and the students seating arrangements properly for order. I will have to earn their respect through my own conduct and erudition, and gain good behavior because of insistence. Participation will come as long as my lessons are planned wisely and geared to all. I will emphasize wait time and cold calling to make sure all participate.

My Rules 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Come on time, and come to learn! Come prepared! Pay attention! Work hard! Respect the rights and property of others!

I chose these rules because I believe the proper mindset at the beginning of the class will influence the behavior throughout the day and enable us to achieve our goals. Class time is limited, we need to maximize the time we are allotted therefore: Class needs to start on time, and the students need to come in to the room knowing they are going to learn something. 1

They need to be prepared with the right books and writing instruments. Homework needs to be completed and ready to be handed in. Since I put a lot of effort in preparing for the class, the more they pay attention the more they will gain. Learning is the teenagers job; its his work and he needs to work hard at it like we all do. Alongside respect for learning, there needs to be respect for the teacher and the students. When a student respects the rights and property of others, including the teachers right to teach and his peers rights to learn, the classroom will flourish.

Cooperative Group Rules 1. 2. 3. 4. Listen to directions from the teacher. Pay attention and give respect to each other. Offer assistance to anyone who asks for it. Treat cooperative learning with respect!

Cooperative learning is a great tool for the students to be creative, review the lesson and to learn how to support each other. It can also be a cooperative time waster. If its treated with respect, then the positive benefits will accrue. Positive Consequences 1. Proper praise: fitting praise for answers and behavior above the norm. 2. Words of encouragement and compliments for good work on tests and homework. 3. Class rewards and incentives: donuts, extra free time, and extra class trips for meeting or exceeding class goals. Negative Consequences (In increasing order of severity) 1. Eye contact The student is notified that their misbehavior was noticed. The student is given an opportunity to quickly correct their behavior before the problem gets any worse. If I have good rapport with the child, may do the Robert DiNero: Got my eyes on you hand gesture. 2. Verbal Warning The student will receive a verbal warning about their inappropriate behavior or receive an X on their seat card. Three Xs will lead to 10 points off next test, and five to a lower behavior mark on report card 3. If after receiving the X, the student continues to misbehave. He will be given a time out to sit outside the classroom (in an empty room) for five minutes. 4. Call parents. 5. Send the student to the principal. (last resort) Preventive Discipline

1. On the first day of class, I will teach my students the rules and protocols of our classroom. Parents will also be given a copy of the classs rules and protocols. By reviewing and following up on these policies over the first few weeks of school, the students will internalize how the classroom decorum should be maintained. 2. I will walk around the classroom so that the students really feel my presence. Students that tend to talk or fight with one another will be separated to different sides of the room. 3. I will create engaging lesson plans that will succeed getting the students involved in the learning process. The more they are interested in the class, the less they will fool around. 4. Maintain a standard of excellence expected from myself and the students. 5. Set the goals and incentives for the week at the beginning of the week. Supportive Discipline 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Make strong eye contact with the students. Smile and nod my head in understanding at the students Listen meaningfully to the students side of the story. Move around the classroom during teaching and group or individual exercises. Be aware of misbehavior and nip it in the bud upon the first occurrence. Be consistent in using positive consequences as equally as negative consequences

Corrective Discipline 1. Firm warning to implement consequence if poor behavior continues. 2. Immediate implementation of negative consequences. Closing Statement This plan will be the foundation of my personal system of discipline. Its a system which gives me a way of implementing my needs for order, respect, good behavior and avid participation. I am not naturally strict; therefore, I will need to strengthen myself to make sure I implement my warnings and negative consequences immediately. Without a strict regimen of behavior codes and expectations, learning will not take place. I want the students to be excited to learn and come to my class. I want to enjoy coming to class every day and have meaningful interactions with the students. A bond of love and respect should be created between the student and the teacher. If this class maintenance system will be implemented well, the learning and the close relationships will develop organically and flourish.