C.M. 4.4

Some of the things that Mr. Davis might do to establish better behavior in his class would be first, to set down specific rules other than the vague rules he stated the first day. He should have setup a routine to start class out, so that the students knew what was expected of them. He needed to demonstrate what he meant by respecting others rights, along with modeling how mature people should act. He should then remind students of the rules every time a chance occurs, so that students do not have the excuse that they did not know. In the same way, rules should have been posted or printed and given to each student. He should have a set procedure for the beginning and end of class as well. In the study, he put a question on the board that the students were to write a paragraph in response, this was a good thing because it ideally would give him time to take role, pass out papers and other beginning activities. However, if he did not do this everyday the students may not have known exactly what was expected of them. Leading to student confusion and as well as them not completing the assignment.
Next, boundaries or a procedure needed to be set up on how students were to answer questions or interact during whole class discussion. This eliminates some students blurting out answers randomly and cut down on all the chatter. When students started talking about personal things, he should have taken measures to stop it. He should have a consequence for students who do not follow directions. It goes back to an old saying, you have to “nip it in the bud,” meaning that you must stop the bad behavior before it starts and gets out of hand.
I think Mr. Davis let the student get away with little things that eventually led to gigantic problems in discipline. In today’s culture, many believe that if you can get away with it, then it is ok. The students in Mr. Davis’s class knew that they could get away with things so they did. I also think that he should have picked up the assignments that students were to be working on and give some extra credit to those who had been working on them when they were given the time to. This would implement a positive reinforcement for the ones that were actually doing the work.
Another problem that Mr. Davis faced was the problems with students looking at and passing around magazines. It states that they were told to put them up but did not do so. He should have then taken the magazines from the students, then return them when the period was up. When the magazine is given back, remind the student what your policies are on magazines. In addition, remind them that if you see the magazine again, that it will be taken away permanently. Moreover, recap that if they would have just put the magazine away, when ask to the first time, it would not have had to be taken away.
All in all Mr. Davis should remind students of the rules. Set consequences for misbehavior and enforce them every time bad behavior occurs. He needs to show the students again that he is the one in charge.