5 Innovative Discipline Techniques to Try this Year

Do you want to implement effective, innovative discipline techniques that actually work this year?

There is no time like the present to get started, but sometimes not knowing where to start can hold you back.

Consider me your fairy godteacher.

With the five actionable innovative discipline techniques in this post, you’ll be on your way to creating a positive and supportive classroom environment by next week!

Hint: Hidden in the depths of this post, you may find a bit of freebie bonus content to help you on your journey. Here’s the first one:

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#1: Restorative Practices

Do you ever stand in front of the class, ready to crack down on classroom behavior issues, only to realize that you need to stop whatever you’re doing because you don’t have everything you need?

Whether you’re planning an intervention or keeping your lesson on track, your first step should always be having everything you need for success at your fingertips.

The Center for Justice Innovation has brilliant resources for using restorative justice in schools that can give you some foundational details to get started. Check it out here.

Restorative practices focus on repairing harm and restoring relationships rather than punishment. 

This approach involves open dialogue between the affected parties to understand the impact of the behavior and collaboratively find ways to make amends.

How to Implement Restorative Practices:

1. Circle Time:
   • Set Up: Arrange your classroom seating in a circle to promote equality and openness. Make sure everyone can see each other.
   • Guidelines: Establish clear guidelines for circle time, such as respecting each speaker, listening actively, and maintaining confidentiality.
   • Regular Schedule: Hold regular circle meetings to discuss feelings, resolve conflicts, and build community. This could be weekly or bi-weekly depending on your class needs.
   • Discussion Prompts: Use prompts like “What was a highlight of your week?” or “What is something you’re struggling with?” to start conversations.
2. Restorative Questions:
   • During Conflicts: When addressing conflicts, use restorative questions to guide the conversation. Examples include:
     • “What happened?”
     • “What were you thinking at the time?”
     • “Who has been affected by what happened?”
     • “What do you think needs to happen to make things right?”
   • Reflection: Encourage students to reflect on their actions and the impact they had on others. This helps them understand the consequences of their behavior and promotes empathy.
3. Restorative Conferences:
   • Formal Meetings: For more serious conflicts, organize formal restorative conferences involving the affected parties, their families, and school staff.
   • Facilitation: Have a trained facilitator guide the conference, ensuring everyone has a chance to speak and be heard.
   • Action Plans: Develop action plans to repair the harm and restore relationships. Follow up on these plans to ensure accountability and progress.
4. Community Building Activities:
   • Team-Building Exercises: Incorporate activities that promote teamwork and collaboration, helping students build stronger relationships and understand each other better.
   • Service Projects: Engage students in community service projects where they can work together towards a common goal, fostering a sense of unity and purpose.

Restorative practices have been shown to reduce repeat offenses and improve relationships among students and between students and teachers. 

Implementing innovative discipline techniques like restorative practices requires preparation and commitment, but the positive outcomes for your classroom community make it well worth the effort. Start today by exploring the resources available and setting up your first circle time. You’ll be amazed at the transformation in your classroom dynamics.

#2: Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS)

Do you ever feel like you’re constantly reacting to negative behavior instead of preventing it? 

One of my favorite innovative discipline techniques is Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), and I find it helps me get on top of everything I need to do to create a positive classroom environment. 

You’ve probably heard of PBIS before and it’s easy enough to understand, but it isn’t always something you can really excel at without guidance. 

You can find a more in-depth look at this blog post here. 

PBIS is a proactive approach that establishes and reinforces clear behavioral expectations. It emphasizes positive reinforcement for good behavior rather than punitive measures for misbehavior.

How to Implement PBIS:

1. Set Clear Expectations:
   • Define Behaviors: Clearly define the behaviors you expect to see in your classroom. Create a list of positive behaviors such as raising hands to speak, showing respect to peers, and completing assignments on time.
   • Teach Expectations: Regularly teach and review these expectations with your students. Use role-playing and visual aids to illustrate what positive behavior looks like.
   • Visual Reminders: Display posters and charts around the classroom that outline these behaviors. Visual reminders can help students remember what is expected of them.
2. Build Reward Systems:
   • Tokens and Points: Implement a token or point system where students can earn rewards for displaying positive behaviors. For example, students might earn tokens for participating in class or helping a classmate.
   • Praise and Recognition: Use verbal praise to acknowledge good behavior. Simple phrases like “Great job listening!” or “I appreciate how you helped your friend” can reinforce positive actions.
   • Privileges and Incentives: Offer privileges such as extra recess time, choice of a classroom activity, or a “homework pass” as incentives for good behavior. Make sure the rewards are meaningful and motivating for your students.
3. Implement Data Tracking:
   • Behavior Charts: Use behavior charts to track individual and class-wide behaviors. This can help you identify patterns and areas that need improvement.
   • Regular Review: Regularly review the data to see which strategies are working and where adjustments are needed. This can involve looking at the frequency of positive and negative behaviors and making changes to your approach as necessary.
   • Feedback Sessions: Hold feedback sessions with your students to discuss behavior trends and set goals for improvement. Involving students in this process can increase their accountability and commitment to positive behavior.

Advocating for Whole-School Implementation of PBIS

Implementing PBIS in your classroom can have a tremendous impact, but the benefits multiply when the whole school adopts this approach. 

Imagine a school where every student understands and adheres to the same behavioral expectations, and where positive reinforcement is a consistent theme. 

To make this vision a reality, advocating for whole-school implementation is key.

Start with Professional Development. 

Professional development is essential for ensuring that all staff members are equipped with the necessary skills to implement PBIS effectively. Advocate for training sessions where teachers, administrators, and support staff can learn about the principles and strategies of PBIS. This unified approach ensures that everyone is on the same page and prepared to foster a positive school environment.

Next, consider forming a PBIS team. 

This team should include teachers, administrators, and support staff who are passionate about creating a positive school climate. The PBIS team can lead the initiative, monitor progress, and provide ongoing support to other staff members. Having a dedicated team ensures that the implementation process is organized and that there is always a group of people focused on maintaining and improving the PBIS framework.

Developing and teaching school-wide expectations is another crucial step. 

Consistency is key in PBIS. By establishing clear, school-wide behavioral expectations, students understand that positive behavior is expected not just in their classroom, but everywhere in the school. These expectations should be taught and reinforced regularly, so they become ingrained in the school culture.

Involving parents and the community in PBIS can also enhance its effectiveness. 

Hold informational sessions to educate parents about PBIS, send home newsletters, and provide resources that explain the approach and how they can support it at home. When parents and the community are involved, it creates a cohesive support system for students, reinforcing the positive behaviors taught at school.

Regular feedback sessions with students can also play a significant role in the success of PBIS. 

These sessions allow students to discuss behavior trends, set goals for improvement, and feel more accountable for their actions. When students are involved in the process, they are more likely to commit to the behavioral expectations and take pride in their positive behavior.

Implementing PBIS throughout the entire school can lead to a reduction in disciplinary incidents and an overall improvement in school climate. 

It’s a proactive approach that not only addresses behavior issues but also fosters a culture of respect, collaboration, and mutual support.

#3: Trauma-Informed Practices

Are you unsure how to support students who have experienced trauma? 

When you’re an educator, getting caught up in traditional discipline methods can be easy. So rather than something you can do, here’s something you should quit doing: relying solely on punitive measures. 

Doesn’t it feel good to permit yourself to stop doing that?

Now that you’ve let that go, let’s explore trauma-informed practices. 

Trauma-informed practices recognize and respond to the effects of traumatic stress on students. 

This approach involves creating a safe and supportive classroom environment and using strategies that help students feel secure and understood.

How to Implement Trauma-Informed Practices:

Create a Safe Space:

• Predictability: Ensure your classroom is a safe and predictable environment where students feel secure. This includes having a consistent daily routine and clear expectations.
• Comfort: Arrange your classroom to include a cozy corner with soft seating and calming décor where students can retreat if they feel overwhelmed.
• Visual Cues: Use visual schedules and reminders to help students know what to expect throughout the day, reducing anxiety and creating a sense of stability.

Build Relationships:

• Trust: Take the time to build strong, trusting relationships with your students. Greet them warmly each day, show genuine interest in their lives, and listen actively to their concerns.
• Check-Ins: Regularly check in with students individually to see how they’re feeling and to offer support. Simple gestures like asking about their weekend or acknowledging their efforts can make a big difference.
• Consistency: Be a consistent and reliable presence in their lives. Consistency in your behavior and reactions helps students feel more secure and understood.

Provide Support:

• Sensory Breaks: Use strategies such as sensory breaks, calming activities, and flexible seating to support students’ emotional needs. Allow students to take breaks when they need to regulate their emotions, and provide tools like stress balls or fidget spinners.
• Calming Activities: Integrate calming activities into your daily routine, such as mindfulness exercises, deep breathing, or quiet time. These activities help students develop self-regulation skills and reduce stress.
• Flexible Seating: Offer flexible seating options to accommodate different needs and preferences. Allowing students to choose their seating can help them feel more comfortable and in control.

If you want to dive deeper into meeting students’ individual needs, why not have a look at this free guide that outlines everything you need to start teaching in a culturally responsive way? 

By understanding and addressing the root causes of behavior, you can reduce disciplinary incidents and create a more harmonious classroom environment.

When students feel safe and supported, they are better able to focus on learning and perform academically.

Trauma-informed practices help students develop emotional resilience and coping skills, leading to improved mental health and well-being.

Implementing trauma-informed practices as part of innovative discipline techniques leads to reduced behavioral problems and improved academic performance and emotional well-being.

#4: Collaborative Problem Solving

Do you find that traditional discipline methods aren’t addressing the root causes of behavior issues? Grab your coffee and let’s talk about everything CPS. 

Collaborative Problem Solving involves working with students to identify the underlying causes of their behavior and collaboratively developing solutions. 

This approach emphasizes empathy, communication, and mutual respect.

Sometimes getting another set of eyes on your classroom management strategy is just the thing you need to set the tone for success. 

Don’t be shy, share your wins and your fears with your colleagues or a mentor. Giving voice to them will help you gain clarity around what you want to do and develop more effective strategies. In addition, you’ll be able to create a more supportive and engaging classroom environment.

But if you keep your ideas inside, you’ll only feel more and more frustrated and confused. Collaboration is key. 

Here’s how you can start implementing CPS in your classroom:

1. Empathy First:
   • Understanding Perspective: Start by empathizing with the student’s perspective and understanding their concerns. This means listening actively and validating their feelings. For example, if a student is acting out because they feel overwhelmed by the workload, acknowledge their stress and frustration.
   • Building Trust: Use statements like, “I can see that this situation is really tough for you,” or “It sounds like you’re feeling really upset about this.” Building trust through empathy is the first step in solving the problem collaboratively.
2. Collaborative Solutions:
   • Brainstorm Together: Work together to brainstorm solutions and agree on a plan of action. Sit down with the student and discuss the problem openly. Encourage them to share their ideas for resolving the issue and contribute your own suggestions.
   • Action Plan: Develop a concrete action plan that both you and the student agree on. For instance, if a student struggles with completing homework on time, the action plan might include setting up a homework schedule, offering extra help sessions, or breaking down assignments into smaller, more manageable tasks.

3. Follow-Up:
   • Regular Check-Ins: Regularly check in with the student to ensure the solution is working and make adjustments as needed. This could be through informal conversations, scheduled meetings, or written reflections.
   • Adjustments: If the agreed-upon solutions aren’t working as planned, be flexible and willing to make changes. Continuous follow-up and adjustments show the student that you are committed to their success and willing to support them through challenges.

CPS has been effective in reducing oppositional behavior and improving problem-solving skills and relationships. 

By involving students in the problem-solving process, you empower them to take ownership of their behavior and learn valuable skills for the future.

The Benefits of CPS:

• Empathy and Understanding: Students feel heard and understood, which can reduce feelings of frustration and resentment.
• Improved Relationships: Collaborative efforts build stronger relationships between teachers and students, fostering a sense of mutual respect.
• Skill Development: Students develop critical problem-solving skills that are essential for their academic and personal lives.
• Sustainable Solutions: By addressing the root causes of behavior, CPS creates more sustainable and effective solutions.

If you don’t know anyone who fits the bill for collaboration, remember I’m available for exchanging ideas over on Instagram and Facebook. You can also go on the hunt for the perfect accountability buddy and create your own support network.

#5: Peer Mediation Programs

Are you looking for ways to empower students to resolve conflicts on their own?

Peer mediation programs train students to help their peers resolve conflicts peacefully. This approach empowers students to take an active role in creating a positive school climate.

By involving students in conflict resolution, you foster leadership, empathy, and communication skills, all while reducing the number of disciplinary incidents.

Start with Training:

The first step is to select a diverse group of student mediators. Choose students who are respected by their peers and show potential for leadership. 

It’s important to have a group that represents various backgrounds and grade levels to ensure inclusivity. 

Once you have your team, provide them with comprehensive training on conflict resolution, active listening, empathy, and communication skills. This training should be interactive, including role-playing scenarios to help students practice their new skills. 

Consider bringing in professional mediators or counselors to conduct these sessions, as they can offer valuable insights and techniques.

Set Up Mediation Sessions:

Next, establish a structured process for mediation sessions. Create clear guidelines and steps that mediators should follow during each session to maintain consistency and fairness. 

Emphasize the importance of confidentiality so that mediators understand that the details of the conflicts and discussions remain private. 

Set up a designated space for these sessions—somewhere private, comfortable, and free from distractions. During mediation, ensure that all parties involved have an equal opportunity to speak and be heard. 

Mediators should facilitate the conversation, helping each student express their feelings and perspectives.

Provide Ongoing Support:

Regular check-ins with student mediators are crucial. These can be group meetings or one-on-one sessions with a program coordinator or counselor. 

Discuss their experiences, challenges, and successes, and offer continuous training and development opportunities. This could include advanced conflict resolution techniques, workshops on empathy and communication, and refresher courses to reinforce their skills. 

Additionally, provide ongoing supervision and feedback. Supervisors or counselors should occasionally observe mediation sessions and offer constructive feedback to help mediators improve their techniques. 

Establish a support system where mediators can seek advice and guidance when faced with difficult cases, such as a mentor program or a designated staff member available for consultation.

Putting this into action:

1. Promote the Program:
   • Awareness Campaign: Launch an awareness campaign to inform students, teachers, and parents about the peer mediation program. Use posters, newsletters, and school assemblies to explain the benefits and encourage participation.
   • Incentives: Offer incentives for students to participate in the program. This could include recognition awards, certificates, or leadership opportunities for student mediators.
2. Integrate into Curriculum:
   • Conflict Resolution Lessons: Integrate conflict resolution lessons into the regular curriculum. Teach all students about the basics of conflict resolution and the role of peer mediators. This will help students understand the importance of the program and how it can benefit them.
   • Classroom Activities: Conduct classroom activities that promote empathy, active listening, and problem-solving skills. These activities can reinforce the skills needed for effective mediation and create a more supportive classroom environment.
3. Engage Parents and Community:
   • Parent Workshops: Organize workshops for parents to educate them about the peer mediation program and how they can support their children in resolving conflicts peacefully.
   • Community Partnerships: Partner with local community organizations and professionals who specialize in conflict resolution. They can provide additional resources, training, and support for the program.

Peer mediation has been found to reduce conflicts and disciplinary referrals and improve students’ conflict resolution skills. 

By empowering students to take an active role in resolving conflicts, you create a more positive and respectful school climate. Students learn valuable life skills that will benefit them beyond the classroom, and the overall school environment becomes more harmonious and inclusive.

Implementing a peer mediation program requires dedication and collaboration, but the rewards are well worth the effort.

Innovative Discipline Techniques: Key Takeaways

I hope this post has given you a roadmap for some big wins this year. 

These innovative discipline techniques will help you build a more positive, supportive, and inclusive classroom environment. 

From implementing restorative practices to using peer mediation programs, you now have actionable strategies to address behavior issues effectively and empathetically.

What’s your favorite from the above innovative discipline techniques? Drop me a comment below! 

And don’t forget to grab my free guide to culturally responsive teaching for more tips, resources, and support. Let’s create classrooms where every student feels valued and connected!