Discipline with Dignity: How to Build Responsibility, Relationships, and Respect in Your Classroom

by Richard L. Curwin, Allen N. Mendler, Brian D. Mendler

In this revised and updated 4th edition, Discipline with Dignity provides in-depth guidance for implementing a proven approach to classroom management that can help students make better choices and teachers be more effective. Emphasizing the importance of mutual respect and self-control, the authors offer specific strategies and techniques for building strong relationships with disruptive students and countering the toxic social circumstances that affect many of them, including dysfunctional families, gangs, and poverty. Educators at all levels can learn



* The difference between formal and informal discipline systems and when to use each.

* The role of values, rules, and consequences.

* How to address the underlying causes of discipline problems that occur both in and out of school.

* What teachers can do to defuse or prevent classroom disruptions and disrespectful behavior without removing students from the classroom.

* Why traditional approaches such as threats, punishments, and rewards are ineffective--and what to do instead.

* How to use relevance, teacher enthusiasm, choice, and other elements of curriculum and instruction to motivate students.

* How to reduce both teacher and student stress that can trigger power struggles.



With dozens of specific examples of student-teacher interactions, Discipline with Dignity illustrates what you can do--and not do--to make the classroom a place where students learn and teachers maintain control in a nonconfrontational way. The goal is success for all, in schools that thrive.

Genres: Education, Teaching, Nonfiction, Professional Development

234 pages, Paperback

Published April 16, 2018

Reviews

[Katie Pottekkat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read! I would definitely recommend using your professional judgement with some of the strategies mentioned… But overall, this was an engaging & well-organized book with solid, practical ideas to add to your classroom management toolkit.

[Kayla Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book for teachers that are just starting out and learning how to manage classroom behavior.

[Abigail · Rating 1 out of 5]

I cannot with any conscience recommend a book that suggests going to Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics anonymous, or a survivors' support group in order to feel ~grateful that your life isn't like theirs. That is possibly the most unethical thing I have ever read in a book like this. I am not your fucking grief porn.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a resource, this text contains a wealth of specific, practical ideas that teachers and administrators can implement to maintain supportive and productive classroom environments. This fourth edition updates some tried-and-true disciplinary techniques and adds some innovations. The book’s organization and chapter titles make it rather easy to find the information a teacher or administrator will need for a particular disciplinary issue (e.g., “The Keys to Changing Behavior,” “Interrupting Misbehavior with Good Teaching,” “Managing Stress Effectively”), but the writing style is decidedly dry. While this is not a book I would recommend reading cover-to-cover, it should probably be in every teacher’s professional library.

[Kyle McFerren · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this as a summer professional development book for work. There was some good stuff (i.e. behavior problems are largely caused by outside-of-school factors, building relationships is key) but a lot of it was everything that everyone thinks is wrong with modern schools. They lost me when they dismissed the value of obedience - as if there are never any times when people need to obey a rule despite not agreeing with it and our internal sense of responsibility is always going to guide us into making good choices. It also felt like their solutions were often just sweeping bad behavior under the rug because there's no immediate solutions that will work.

Not super helpful, and most of the helpful material is classroom management 101.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a must read for all educators. The authors share that the best decisions for managing student behavior are based on a value system that maintains dignity for each student in all situations. It is more important to teach students responsibility than it is to maintain obedience. Being effective with challenging students requires a willingness to step outside of your comfort zone. Most importantly when dealing with the most challenging students, you can’t punish more than life has. Building great relationships will decrease inappropriate behaviors. This book is an easy read, packed full of interventions and ideas that can be implemented quickly.

[Lauralee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given this book to read over the summer. I am an EA and see many students with high needs and behaviours. Although geared for Teachers, I believe anyone who works in the education system or with children, or even high behaviours in other settings should read this. It will challenge your way of thinking. It was difficult for me, in the beginning, as I'm old school and came from a background where fear was a driving factor. I didn't dare speak to an adult with disrespect or act out. I wish there had been more mention or assistants who work in the classrooms. It was a good read with tons of interventions.

[Kevin · Rating 3 out of 5]

The classic text Discipline With Dignity should be required reading for all educators. I had heard about it for years and even saw Brian Mendler speak a while ago, but didn't get around to reading it until I got it as one of my ASCD book-of-the-month selections.

The approaches to student behavior the authors recommend are realistic and easy to implement. More importantly, they recommend building a positive relationship with all students and staying calm and rationally detached when addressing student behavior. The chapter titled "Guide for Administrators" was especially pertinent to me.

[Tracey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had read "Discipline with Dignity" a few years ago. So this was a refresher for me - just skimmed it since I implement these strategies already. However, any teacher who needs ideas for classroom management should have this book on his/her desk! Very informative, very helpful! I would highly recommend this book!

[Lisa Keuss · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Discipline is the process of learning how to get along with others, to solve problems, and to make responsible choices." "Good discipline triggers reflection and insight." The only obstacle to this are schools and school districts that have no social contracts and/or shy away from all consequences.

[Kim Pandiani · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the first edition of this book many years ago and found it to be very useful and what I learned continues to be relevant 25 years later. It has remained the foundation of my work with students around discipline and behavior. It is one of my favorite books of all times.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was for grad class. It gave good insight into why behavior can occur and strategies to use with oppositional students when normal interventions do not work. I found this book to be helpful and useful.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is incredibly helpful in thinking about different elements of working with kids in an educational capacity. I learned a lot about behavior management and will definitely be rereading this book to continually grow and learn different ideas and techniques.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

The 4th edition of this work. It will challenge your thinking and promote reflection in your classroom management practices. I think all educators should read this book.

[Fred · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book for reflection on one's practice

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m looking forward to using some of these strategies in my room! I work specifically with the high behavior kids, so this will hopefully make this year run a little smoother.

[A Canadian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Somewhat good but some of the suggestions are way off base.

[Tia Schlifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reinforced many of my ideas towards education and teaching strategies. Good refresher.

[D.J. Desmond · Rating 3 out of 5]

There’s some quality stuff, but proceed with caution.

[Kimberly Curette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! Amazing!

[Charlene Wolfe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this and had some real solutions

[Steven Ayy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really only relevant to that in education but in the modern era it provides an endless stream of examples and answers to managing student behavior and providing a good school life for students.

[Jacob Dupuis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good general philosophy and some workable ideas. Nevertheless, it feels like it was written by a partially crazy person

[Jodi Goldstein · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book emphasizes the importance of treating others with dignity and a sense of value while teaching respect and responsibility.

[Mills College Library]

371.5 C982 2018