In this article we look at the relationship between classroom management and discipline in the homeschool classroom, and why it is important to understand the  difference between the them.

In the classroom, students don’t often think about how their emotions affect classroom management strategies, discipline strategies, and their learning. 

Classroom Managment Infographic

Infographics are a great resource to display in the classroom because they summarize topics ideas that need to be reinforced again and again.

When students see the benefits to classroom management they will be reminded to follow rules and keep behavior in check.

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Free Classroom Management Guide

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Classroom Management Sign Up Form

When you join our teaching community, you will get access to this free classroom management guide that includes rules, checklists, and a sample guide as what to do with students on the first day of classes with them. This guide works for any time you have a new class for the school year!

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How to Create a Homeschool Classroom

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Our classroom management stategies guide help set the stage for a safe classroom environment and community.

But what about creating an effective homeschool classroom if you have never set one up before?

The author of Everything You Need to Know About Homeschooling, Lea Ann Garfias outlines approaches to calm students down so they begin to listen and respond to what the teacher has to say.

homeschooling guide

As Lea Ann says, this book will help new homeschooling parents understand the intrict works of setting up a homeschool classroom, especially after the global pandemic of 2020. Lea Ann is a homeschool graduate herself, and homeschools her six children. She helps answer most commonly asked questions around homeschooling children.

To see other valuable resources from Lea Ann Garfias, follow her, as we have done, on Amazon today!

Understanding how to deal with classroom management and discipline issues can be even more challenging to those who teach in the homeschool classroom. 

The Relationship between Classroom Management and Discipline

Can you have one without the other?

The short answer is no. Effective classroom management strategies plan to include different aspects of behaviors, rewards and consequences that go along with rules, and procedures.

Classroom management is the overall running of the classroom. 

Discipline strategies are one aspect of classroom management.

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When students are effectively running the classroom according to the established rules and procedures, then this makes the issue of discipline easier. Discipline deals with behavior management. 

Discipline deals with behavior management. When students are more aware of how their behavior impacts on their learning then disciplining the students means rewarding positive behavior.

The Aspects of Classroom Management

As the name indicates, classroom management means taking control of the classroom to avoid chaos.

But does that mean that only the teacher has to take control of the class?

In the beginning of the school year, yes, the teacher needs to be in control. The teacher is an authoritative figure in the classroom. 

A good teacher knows how to use their control of the classroom to benefit the students in the classroom.

In other words, the teacher does not control the class as a dictatorship, but as a democratic society.

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Students will be more likely to participate in managing their behavior and responsibilities in the classroom when they have had a hand in establishing how the classroom will be managed.

The three main aspects to classroom management are; rules and procedures, routines, and you guessed it, discipline strategies.

I. Rules and Procedures

Rules that cover all aspects of time spent in the classroom means that students become familiar as to what is right and wrong so that problems are avoided. 

For example, how to enter and exit the classroom. How to ask permission to leave the classroom for various reasons, and so on.

homeschool lessons

Procedures are how students are to spend their time in the homeschool classroom as it relates to their academic work. 

Students  need to be aware of what activities they can do if they finish their work early, where to hand in finished assignments, and how to keep their desks clean and organized.

II. Routines

Routines are connected to the agenda the teacher has planned for the students during the class. 

When the teacher tells the students the activities included in the agenda, students begin to form a routine with each activity. 

Teachers may also have special activities set on a particular day such as show and tell.

III. Discipline Strategies

These strategies focus on positive outcomes when it comes to behavior and commitments to responsibilities. 

Rather than using punishments to correct behavior students are asked to reflect on their behavior and how negative behavior and actions have consequences that can impact everyone in the classroom.

The Aspects of Discipline Strategies

The three main aspects to discipline strategies are: roles and responsibilities, behavior management, rewards and consequences.

I. Roles and Responsibilities

As part of building character through behavior, teachers can help students define their roles in the classroom. 

For example, each week every student takes on the responsibility to completing a task in the classroom, such as classroom monitor. 

Of course, the number one role students have is to help build a safe classroom environment.

Building a safe classroom environment means students are aware of how they interact with other students and how they’re contributions to the class through assignments, questions and answers, helps everyone learn.

II. Behavior Managment

The building of one’s character is valued in the relationships they form with those around them. Teachers and students build relationships through trust and communication. 

Teachers as role models of good behavior come to expect their students to demonstrate good behavior for the sake of everyone in the classroom.

Students who choose not to make the right choice  in the classroom should understand that their choices can hurt others and that better choices lead to better relationships.

III. Rewards and Consequences

Even homeschool classrooms need to show a system of rewards and consequences, but why? 

The reason is that these add value to students’ level of motivation. To seek a reward or avoid a consequence motivates students. 

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Where parents have to be careful in choosing their rewards and consequences is if these rewards and consequences  impact negatively on students’ self-esteem.

Some examples of proper rewards include:

  1. Incentive cards
  2. Reward Charts
  3. Reward Jars
  4. Reward Coins
  5. Stickers

Using sugary snacks and drinks may be tempting but the consequences to overall health could outway the benefits to students and should be avoided or used sparingly.

Classroom Related Topics

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Final Thoughts…

Classrooms are meant to be seen as a place of learning. Even if the dynamics change when it comes to how classrooms look like, the aspects need to remain the same. 

These aspects will add value to students characters, learning, and most importantly will help them build the confidence, and enthusiasm to succeed in their classes.

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