In order to maintain classroom discipline for the benefit of all my students I take the following steps. 

First and foremost, I attempt to provide an interesting and engaging curriculum for my students.  The curriculum needs to provide challenging projects to keep students actively involved. 

Second, classroom rules need to be taught and frequently reinforced.  My classroom rules are simple: 

1. Respect others 

2. Respect yourself (do your best) 

3. Respect property 

I strive to make behavior expectations clear and logical.  My most common management strategy is reinforcing good choices.  For example I might state, I see Travis drawing quietly on his map.” 

When a student becomes disruptive to the learning environment I begin my intervention by proximity; I move myself closer to the student.  Then I may try to redirect the student through positive reinforcement.  From there I proceed to a few quiet words to the student concerning the expectations of the situation.  If this fails, I inform the student of the consequences of the choices being made.  The consequences may include some calming time in the hall, sacrificing some recess time, or a communication to parents concerning the choices being made. 

If the problem behavior proves to be an ongoing situation I then contact the parents to arrange a meeting to address the situation and look for a way to turn it from a negative one to a positive one.  This might include a behavior plan.  This meeting may include the building administrator, depending on severity of the behavior. 

An exception to this step-by-step process is physical violence.  If this were to occur, I might jump ahead on the steps and contact the parents and/or the school’s administrator.