Assertive Discipline: Positive Behavior Management for Today's Classroom

by Lee Canter

Association of Educational Publishers 2010 Distinguished Achievement Award This book contains the best concepts and teacher-tested strategies by the author plus new content. A special emphasis on the needs of new and struggling teachers includes practical actions for earning student respect and teaching them behavior management skills. The author also introduces a real-time coaching model and explains how to establish a schoolwide Assertive Discipline program.
Section Becoming an Effective Classroom Manager
Chapter 1: You Can Be an Effective Classroom Manager
Chapter 2: Develop Your Teacher Voice
Chapter 3: Hold High Expectations Section Developing Your Classroom Discipline Plan
Chapter 4: Establish Rules
Chapter 5: Determine Positive Support Strategies
Chapter 6: Determine Corrective Actions Section Teaching Responsible Behavior
Chapter 7: Teach Policies and Procedures at the Beginning of the School Year
Chapter 8: Develop a Responsible Behavior Curriculum Section Utilizing the Behavior Management Cycle
Chapter 9: Effectively Communicate Explicit Directions
Chapter 10: Utilize Behavioral Narration
Chapter 11: Take Corrective Actions
Chapter 12: Teach Students to Manage Their Own Behavior Section Reducing Disruptive Behavior
Chapter 13: Instructional Strategies That Reduce Disruptive Behavior Section Working With Difficult Students
Chapter 14: Build Positive Relationships With Students
Chapter 15: Develop Individualized Behavior Plans
Chapter 16: You Can't Do It on Your Getting the Support You Need to Deal With Difficult Students
Mentors, Coaches, and School Leadership Structures to Support Classroom Teachers' Behavior Management Efforts

Genres: Education, Teaching, Nonfiction, Psychology, Textbooks, Teachers, Professional Development

176 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2001

Reviews

[Joan Anderson]

This is a very good book. It helped me see the missing pieces of my discipline procedures, especially with my more challenging students. The case studies were really valuable as well. I have an older edition that I borrowed from a friend and it looked like it was going to be geared toward elementary grades, but this was not the case. Despite my posted dates, I have been reading this book over a period of a few months. The last third of the book resonated with me the most.

[Ahmad Nazeri]

Great read for classroom management strategies!

[Scott Rushing]

This book should be required reading for every middle and high school teacher.

[Sarah M]

one of my colleagues (another student teacher) used the method of telling a naughty student she had "chosen" to receive a warning, as Canter recommends, and she seemed to find it hilarious. so I feel like a lot of the methods the author proposes only work if you have nerves of steel and the self-assuredness of an already well-established teacher, but this was a good, interesting read regardless.

[Kaci]

This one was okay, but we were reading Wong too, so this one felt less in depth and not necessary since we had the other book.

[kevin browning]

Old school form of discipline but a good one!

[Debbie]

Good ideas; easy to read

[Jessica Lucy]

I was recommended this book by my subject tutor during my Diagnostic Teaching Placement, as I was finding behaviour management to be my weakest area. It's an ok book; it's one of those texts you finish and think 'well what did I actually learn from that?' It all seems to be common sense advice, nothing remarkably groundbreaking. I will concede, however, that it's often nice to see such advice written down. Although I did not necessarily learn a plethora of new behaviour management tactics, reading this did help support my own perceptions and ideas of behaviour. It's encouraging to see someone else saying what you think!

[MaryAnn]

I bought this book for five pages near the end - the parent phone call. It gives something similar to a script on what to say when you call parents. I've used it several times this year and it has made my life much better. I haven't had time to read much more of the book. Perhaps I will over the summer.

[Sandy Champagne]

I'm not a teacher yet but I'm studying to become one. This was on my required reading list and I felt it repeated a lot of what I've already read (or maybe what I read before took from this book). Either way it's some very valuable info and I will definitely be using some of the techniques in my classroom when I get one.

[Stacia]

The new appendix (I think it is new with this 4th edition) about the Real Time Classroom Coaching Model was the most helpful part! That and giving students choices in their consequences (pg. 73)... these, to me, are the most useful parts and very easily implemented instead of just theory.

[Jennifer Goldby]

As far as instructional methodology books go this fantastic tome receives a weighty 5 out of 5 from me :). Lots of useful practical ways to get your class on board, a must read for any teacher in the making.

[Laura]

Another new-teacher must read. It has some good ideas in it.

[Heather Wilson]

I love his theories!

[Fredrick Danysh]

Designed for teachers, this work sets forth ideas on how to acquire and maintain discipline in the classroom. It takes a proactive approach.

[Andrea]

Great book!

[Lorie]

Great read for any teacher!

[Nicki]

This book was good for classroom management, but mostly for primary school teachers. It had good ideas throughout that could be used for both primary and secondary

[Jessica]

Definitely geared toward elementary. It almost seems like secondary education was added last minute to appeal to more educators.