Follow Directions

By addressing challenging behaviors of young exceptional children in school, Lee and Marlene Canter have designed a structured systematic approach in assertive discipline, to assist educators in running an organized environment and positively influence their students’ behavior in the classroom. Teachers should insist on responsible behavior from their students. They believe a firm, teacher-in-charge classroom is the best interests of their students and the most important classroom rule is “follow directions”. They make sure to teach students acceptable behavior through modelling, explanation, and practice. Teachers need to identify academic activities and routine procedures and specific directions that students need to follow.

In the classroom, teachers have to teach in a professional manner without disruptions. No pupil should prevent the teacher from teaching, or keep another student from learning. The most effective teachers are those who remain in control of the class and always remember their main duty is to help students learn and behave responsibly. Teachers must continually model through their own behaviour the kind of trust and respect for students that they want students to show toward others. Teachers have the right to ask for and receive help from principals, parents and other school personnel. Teachers who have such support will not be intimidated when students are defiant or hostile. For example, a third grader who frequently would push, show his fist and then shove in to be the first in line which resulted in constant complaining and yelling before the class went outside. The teacher walks up to him and states, “I don’t know what’s wrong with you. You’re pushing and shoving again. You need to learn how to line up like the others. Now I want you to try and do that.” The teacher walks up to him, grab him and push him to the back of the line and says, “You push and defiant your classmates, I’ll push and shove you. See if you like it.” The teacher firmly tells the boy “Stop your inappropriate behavior.” To back up her words, she makes him line up to the back of the

The teacher communicates clearly their expectations to students and follows up with appropriate and consistent actions which do not violate the best interests of the students. For example; the teacher said, “Kelvin please follow the morning routine, by unpacking your schoolbag, hang it in the closet then get your yesterday’s homework ready to be checked.” Positive support is also provided through kind words or facial expressions that teachers offer when students comply with class expectations. For example; Miss Szkola said to Cassidy while she is auditing on her own essay, “Cassidy, I need you to help Jeffrey in his auditing after you finishes yours.” Teachers must not only model proper class behaviour but often must directly teach it as well. It is not enough for teachers simply to set limits and apply corrective actions. Teachers should practice repeating directions as positive statements to students who are complying with class rules. They must help students understand and practice behaviour that leads to success in school. For example, during the math lesson this afternoon, Miss Miller used her clear, calm firm voice with eye contact, she said “Edwin remembered to raise his hand today, good job” then after the math lesson, the teacher said to all of her students “the tablets are