Lee Canter's Assertive Discipline: Positive Behavior Management for Today's Classroom 
asked by orla on November 9, 2006 10:14 AM
Up-to-date strategies that address the complex issue of managing student behavior in the classroom of the 90s. For K-12 teachers.
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I've been using Assertive Discipline since 1987. I've used it in 4 different schools, (elementary and secondary), during summer school sessions and in CCD classes.
My very first year using it, it eliminated 99% of any and all discipline problems I was having. Students quickly learned what the rules were and what would happen if they chose to break those rules. This created an environment that was conducive to learning. The students were more relaxed because the atmosphere was orderly and calm.
One of the positive rewards I used was positive notes and phone calls home. Parents were pleased and surprised to get a phone call from the school telling them that their child appeared happy in class, was performing well, turning in all his homework, etc.
I used other rewards as well, such as points towards individual and class-wide rewards, etc. I actually had students spurring each other on to make sure they turned in their homework, completed their work accurately and neatly and so on.
The use of Assertive Discipline will remove much of the uncertainty from teaching. It answers the question, "What will I do when...?"
You will have a plan. The students will know what will happen if they choose to misbehave. It's not simply about 'rewards and punishments' as it is about learning to make appropriate choices. We all have to do that, and we all have to learn to do it sometime.
Most students know how to behave properly. Sadly, many choose not to. I'm not a social worker, but I have a job to do and I can't do it if there's chaos in the classroom.
This program is especially useful for new teachers. If you're having trouble with classroom management, if you're feeling tired and stressed-out, if you find yourself REPEATING INSTRUCTIONS OVER AND OVER AND OVER AND OVER, then do yourself a favor and
BUY THIS BOOK!!
The modest investment that it costs is nothing compared to the peace of mind that it will bring.
Teachers who have been around a while develop an "aura". All they have to do is LOOK at a student and that student will usually settle down. It takes a few years to develop that "aura". I believe that that aura is based to a large extent on self-confidence and the teacher's reputation.
We develop self-confidence by accumulating a history of success in dealing with difficult situations, and we get a "good" reputation among students from being, among other things, firm but fair. Assertive Discipline will help you be firm but fair in your classroom management efforts, and it will help you build a history of success in dealing with difficult classroom management situations.
My very first year using it, it eliminated 99% of any and all discipline problems I was having. Students quickly learned what the rules were and what would happen if they chose to break those rules. This created an environment that was conducive to learning. The students were more relaxed because the atmosphere was orderly and calm.
One of the positive rewards I used was positive notes and phone calls home. Parents were pleased and surprised to get a phone call from the school telling them that their child appeared happy in class, was performing well, turning in all his homework, etc.
I used other rewards as well, such as points towards individual and class-wide rewards, etc. I actually had students spurring each other on to make sure they turned in their homework, completed their work accurately and neatly and so on.
The use of Assertive Discipline will remove much of the uncertainty from teaching. It answers the question, "What will I do when...?"
You will have a plan. The students will know what will happen if they choose to misbehave. It's not simply about 'rewards and punishments' as it is about learning to make appropriate choices. We all have to do that, and we all have to learn to do it sometime.
Most students know how to behave properly. Sadly, many choose not to. I'm not a social worker, but I have a job to do and I can't do it if there's chaos in the classroom.
This program is especially useful for new teachers. If you're having trouble with classroom management, if you're feeling tired and stressed-out, if you find yourself REPEATING INSTRUCTIONS OVER AND OVER AND OVER AND OVER, then do yourself a favor and
BUY THIS BOOK!!
The modest investment that it costs is nothing compared to the peace of mind that it will bring.
Teachers who have been around a while develop an "aura". All they have to do is LOOK at a student and that student will usually settle down. It takes a few years to develop that "aura". I believe that that aura is based to a large extent on self-confidence and the teacher's reputation.
We develop self-confidence by accumulating a history of success in dealing with difficult situations, and we get a "good" reputation among students from being, among other things, firm but fair. Assertive Discipline will help you be firm but fair in your classroom management efforts, and it will help you build a history of success in dealing with difficult classroom management situations.
reviewed by axelrose on November 15, 2006 10:31 AM
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On the face of it Canter's advice seems sound. Unless you know anything about modern psychology. His approach is purely behavioristic. It assumes that behavior should be modified thorugh the use of external rewards and punishments. While some lip service is paid to students taking ownership of their behivior, his model does not provide a way to do that. it is not even good behaviorism. Behaviroism used appropriately uses different rewards and consequences for the individual, recognizing that the same system will not work for all. Another difference is that when behaviroism is used correctly, the subject is systematically weaned from the reward system as the behvior becomes automatic. In Canter's system the rewards and punishments are the same for all, and stay the same throughout the year. His system also has the same basic reward or punishment for any infraction. It is not person, situation or bahavior dependent (except in extrmem cases).
As a long time teacher and teacher educator I have seen many teachers using Canter's as well as other apporaches. I have seen no corrolation between the use of his system and good classroom mangement.
Instead I would recommend systems that treat students as human beings who are capaple of learning to manage the classroom becasue they want a well running classroom in which to learn. This takes careful and structured guidance by the teacher. These techniques are based on the more current theories of cognitive development, soical learning theory and constructivist theories of learning. An excellent example of this type of classroom management can be found in Ruth Sidney Charney's book, "Teaching Children to Care: Classroom Managment for Ethical and Academic Growth, K-8."
As a long time teacher and teacher educator I have seen many teachers using Canter's as well as other apporaches. I have seen no corrolation between the use of his system and good classroom mangement.
Instead I would recommend systems that treat students as human beings who are capaple of learning to manage the classroom becasue they want a well running classroom in which to learn. This takes careful and structured guidance by the teacher. These techniques are based on the more current theories of cognitive development, soical learning theory and constructivist theories of learning. An excellent example of this type of classroom management can be found in Ruth Sidney Charney's book, "Teaching Children to Care: Classroom Managment for Ethical and Academic Growth, K-8."
reviewed by geri1956 on November 23, 2006 7:12 PM
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Assertive Discipline is an effective way to control behavior in order to help create an environment where learning can occur.
reviewed by shirley49 on November 27, 2006 11:47 AM
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My experiences with Canter's approach have been disappointing. It can be that this approach will work, though not with the students who have the real problems, but it does NOT TEACH students how to control their behavior. It does not teach students anything except how to receive rewards and how to avoid punishments. Better to read some research on classroom management, Alfie Kohn, or Love and Logic. I believe what we need to do is help our students make better choices. I don't think this approach does that. Read lots of things and decide for yourself.
reviewed by willie on November 28, 2006 3:53 PM