Category Archives: Classroom Management & Discipline

Every Bible teacher of children or youth classes will at some point have to deal with discipline issues. And, they’ll inevitably have questions about what to do.

Frequently Asked Question about Classroom Discipline

How do I deal with ______ ?

Questions frequently get asked about how to deal with specific discipline issues but it’s difficult to give a pointed response because of the variables. Two children can engage in the same misbehavior but for different reasons. So, the first thing we need to do is to try to discern the cause. When we identify the “why”, the “what” often becomes obvious. If we don’t identify the cause, we may simply apply a temporary bandage to the situation which may later re-fester. Knowing the reason for why a student acts as he/she does, doesn’t excuse the child from responsibility but rather helps us work toward the best and most appropriate solution that could prevent future misconduct.

Also keep in mind that what works with the one child might not with the other. Their responses could be tempered by their background, personality, learning style, along with other factors. A cookie cutter approach to the same problem with different children may not work. We must consider individual needs.

Then, no matter what the issue may be, look at it through the lens of the big picture. How can this problem be used as an extension of the teaching process, as an opportunity for discipleship? The ultimate goal in dealing with any particular issue should be to help that student become more and more Christ-like.

For help working through causes for different behaviors, check out: Discipline Issues: What to Do About Specific Challenges

Get answers to the following questions about classroom discipline in the Bible Teacher’s Handbook of Frequently Asked Questions:

• What’s the best approach for disciplining?
• What kind of consequences should be used for misbehavior?
• I’ve tried everything and nothing works, so now what do I do?

The handbook responds to questions covering 48 other issues in teaching with a total of 153 questions.

Also be sure to check out Classroom Discipline Bundle intended to provide a more comprehensive view to disciplining. Each of the resources in the bundle can also be purchased separately.

Some teachers look for a magical formula to cure all their difficulties with discipline. They hope for a “one-size fits all” approach — something easy, something that won’t require much effort. While certain methods and styles might seem to work, their long-range effect must be brought into question.

Do they lead to the biblical objective in discipline?

Do they line up with God’s character and ways?

Do they have a lasting impact?

Tips for Choosing Basic In-Class Strategies for Classroom Discipline

Choose discipline methods wisely. Consider the points made in the tips that follow when determining how you should handle a situation.

• Minister to the needs of each individual.
• Treat your students with dignity and respect.
• Put a high premium on relationship.
• Try to determine the root cause of the misbehavior.
• Compensate for individual differences among students.
• Be careful you aren’t reinforcing negative behavior.
• What works for one child may not work for another.
• “Time-out” does not work in all situations.
• Sometimes it is appropriate to ignore misbehavior.
• To be heard you must be consistent.

This post comes from the introductory remarks in the Handbook on the Basics of Classroom Discipline under the Basic In-Class Strategies section which looks at each of the above tips, along with twenty other tips that fit other Basics.

You, as a teacher, lay the groundwork for good classroom management long before you step foot into the classroom. Good discipline in the classroom has as much to do with the attitude and behavior of the teacher as with that of the children. Your part helps prevent problems from even happening and largely stems from preparing.

Preparing the lesson
Preparing for transitions
Preparing for breaks in routine

Also, becoming more aware of what is happening in the students’ homes prepares you by giving you insight into potential behavior problems.

And, praying regularly for your students, as well as your teaching, invites the Spirit of God to go before you and prepare the way. Without the work of the Holy Spirit, even the most prepared and well executed lesson will do little to yield spiritual results.

Tips that Provide Basic Out-of-Class Strategies

The five tips which follow, expounded on in the Handbook on the Basics of Classroom Discipline, are instrumental in helping you prevent problems. They enable you to be prepared for what could happen.

• Adequately prepare for your lesson.
• Plan well for those transitional times between activities.
• Plan for the effects of changing weather patterns, holidays, or other breaks in routine.
• Acquaint yourself with each student’s home situation.
• Pray regularly for each student.

Distractions, boredom, and frustration seem to fuel behavioral problems. Consequently, one of goals of Bible teachers ought to be the minimization of their accelerators. Teaching methods and styles could be to blame but don’t forget to look at your classroom. The physical environment can affect behavior.

Tips to Help with a Basic Environment Conducive to Good Classroom Management & Learning

The Handbook on the Basics of Classroom Discipline consequently provides the following tips to help you think about the kind of environment you are providing.

• Keep your room attractively decorated, neat, clean, cheerful, and free of clutter.

• Keep your room comfortable and facilitating to learning with good lighting, adequate ventilation, and plenty of space to move around.

We don’t always think about the effects of the classroom itself on classroom discipline. Take some time to think about how attractive, comfortable, and facilitating your classroom is to learning. If students aren’t learning because of these factors, they’re more likely doing something they shouldn’t be doing.

Also check out: Classroom Set-Up: Effectively Use Facilities