Classroom Management - The Inner Discipline Model was designed by Barbara Coloroso

Authors Avatar by nickpaul2k17gmailcom (student)

Ms. Barbara Coloroso

 

INTRODUCTION

The Inner Discipline Model was designed by Barbra Coloroso in the year 2002.  The Inner discipline model is a longer route in correcting misbehaviour in students. As the name indicates, the goal of inner discipline is to help students develop self – discipline, to gain control and responsibility for their actions. Whether or not it’s a choice with a positive outcome, unless there is a threat to the student or others, teachers are expected to allow students more responsibility when making their decisions.

Using inner discipline, when students misbehave, teachers are also expected to create ways of how they can work with their students to resolve issues. As a result, students and teachers cooperate to build a community where there is shared power. An underlying basis of this approach is that students do not have lasting discipline when quick solutions such as reward systems are used.

According to Coloroso, there are three types of teachers: “brick-wall,” “jellyfish,” and “backbone.” As the names suggest, “brick-wall” teachers are strict, demanding students to follow the rules without questioning and there are no exceptions. “Jellyfish” teachers enforce the rules like the way a jellyfish moves, the rules are not clear, and teachers often change the rewards and punishments, so students cannot expect consistency from these teachers. Last, “backbone” teachers give strong support, but from behind. Inner Discipline is being able to behave creatively, constructively, cooperatively and responsibly without being directed by someone else.

THE BASIC PRINCIPLES/ TENTS OF THE MODEL

  • Treat students with respect and dignity
  • Give them a sense of power in their lives
  • Give them the opportunity to make decisions, take responsibility for their actions and learn from their success and mistakes.
  • Schools should be joint
  • Students respond to punishment with the 3 F’s: fear, fighting back or fleeing.
  • Students who experience realistic consequences all the time for misbehavior learn that they themselves have positive control over their lives.
  • Consequences should be natural and reasonable. (RSVP Approach- reasonable, simple, valuable and practical).
  • There are three R’s to discipline:  restitution, resolution and reconciliation
  • Teachers should show appreciation rather than praise students for work and effort.
  • Coloroso believes that teachers sometimes need to use assertive confrontation.  There are seven rules to a fair fight and productive, assertive confrontation
  • Teachers duty are to give critical life messages or comments instead of destructive ones.
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COLOROSO’S THREE CLASSIFICATION OF TEACHERS

  • BRICKWALL
  • JELLYFISH
  • BACKBONE

 

The 'Brick-wall’ teachers are:

  • Strict
  • Demands that students follow the rules without questioning
  • No exceptions
  • Teacher are in control of the environment
  • Threatens and bribes students
  • Uses humiliation

The jellyfish teachers:

  • Have no clear rules and punishments
  • Changes rewards and punishments
  • Not consistent with the classroom management
  • Allows chaos in the environment
  • Fake threats
  • Allows random second chances

The backbone teachers:

  • Set up behavior rules from the start
  • Consistent
  • Follows ...

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