Home | How It Works | Stats Login | Register         Case: Inconsistent Disciplining I am a student teacher and I have volunteered to participate in a special group of student teachers who are interested in teaching in diverse settings. One of the participants in our first group meeting was telling us about her disciplinary methods. When the white children in her class misbehave she sternly reprimands them because, she believes, they know the rules and they know what they are supposed to do. However, when the seven African American students misbehave, she gives them another chance because she wants them to know she cares. I have to react to this person and perhaps explain to her what the consequences of her action could be. What should I do and say? I am not even sure if her methods are actually good or bad. Solution: (Rates are posted for this solution!) Inconsistency is the number one cause of poor classroom management. It can be difficult to be consistent, but your rules should be designed around consistency. This is not only unfair, it is hurting the African American students. If she wants to show them she cares, she should treat them the same and discipline them the same. Discipline comes from the Latin word disciplina which means to teach. You don't have to jump to punishment for every student. Different things work differently depending on the student. However, disciplining students differently based on race is unacceptable. She is denying these students their right to be taught appropriate behavior as well as the other students are being taught.                 Rating The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes The suggested solution is original Yes Comments: I agree with this solution. The teacher must be as consistent as possible with the students otherwise it is unfair and will not be taken seriously by the students. Rated On: October 19, 2015 3:44 am Rated By: JatePa                 Rating The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes The suggested solution is original Yes Comments: This is a great solution and one that I would use in my classroom! Rated On: March 2, 2016 5:57 am Rated By: uBybuz