Chapter Five

It is so important to update your discipline techniques. Times are dramatically changing and so are our schools. But how can we do this in a fair and productive way? I could really understand and relate to several aspects of this chapter, but I am still searching for a behavior plan that will work for the huge variety of students in my class. I think the first step is trying to understand the students which is what this chapter mostly discusses. There are so many different things that cause students to misbehave. I have students that come from unstable homes, students who are always passing the blame on someone or something else, and students who just have a low self-esteem and don't believe that doing well in school is attainable. For these students punishment may just make their situation worse.

My favorite part of this chapter was when the author talked about his wife going above and beyond for their foster children. I remember wanting to do this for a particular elementary school teacher because he was genuinely excited when we did well and genuinely disappointed when we didn't. This was my only motivation, but it really worked. I strongly want my students to have that motivation not only so they do well, but so they are proud of their work and have more self confidence.