The South African Department of Education outlines four different methods of conducting classroom management. Teachers can assimiliate some of these methods depending upon their teaching style and the needs of their students.

The Democrat: involves learners in the developing and keeping of rules

  • The teacher discusses issues between him/herself and the students.

  • All learners are encouraged to participate.

  1. Everyone (parents, learners, educators, etc) participate in implementing and carrying out rules/discipline

  2. Assist students in assessing their behavior and the reasoning behind the rules.

  • STEPS in Assessing behavior:

    • What is student doing that is causing a problem?

    • How does this affect the class?

    • Why is the problem occurring?

    • How can the problem be fixed?

    • What are the consequences of the problem and the resolution?

(Summarized steps provided by the Dept of Education)



The Community Builder:

  • Consider how actions affect the community and relationships within it.
  • Sets up the class so that it revolves around commitment, respect, care and dignity.
  • Believes that through this process, the student will learn to replace external discipline with self-discipline

  • The Dept. of Education Document (2000) on establishing a community suggests:

    • It takes time

    • Respectful adults

    • Communication

    • Facilitate connection between learners

    • Class-wide discussions

    • Conflict resolution



The Behaviorist:

  • People learn best when good behavior is reinforced/rewarded/recognized.

  • Strategies for modifying behavior:

    • Setting expectations (that are clear and make sense)

    • Positive reinforcement

    • Consistent consequences

    • W/drawl consequences

    • Time out (think, self-reflect)

    • Daily reports

    • Demonstrate good behavior



The Empathizer

  • Tries to understand the child’s thinking

  • Focuses only on essential rules

  • Dept. of Education (2000) finds behavioral problems often linked:

    • Family conflict

    • Poverty leading to stress in the home

    • Violence in the child’s environment—fear for safety

    • Discrimination

    • Physical and emotional changes in adolescence

    • Learning needs and disabilities not addressed

    • Bullying and teasing

    • Being different

    • Family death or divorce