A kinder gentler approach to classroom management, Cooperative Discipline is designed by Dr. Linda Albert, and based on the works of Dr. Alfred Adler and Dr. Rudolf Dreikurs.

1. Cooperative Discipline
• A 3 Credit Graduate Course for Teachers
• Available in Multiple Convenient Locations
in NJ, PA & MD
• And Online
From
www.theRTC.net

2. Cooperative Discipline Answers
Three Questions
What do I do when kids act up? (Corrective)1
What can I do so they won’t continue misbehaving?
(Supportive)
2
How can I encourage the “good kids” to continue
behaving appropriately? (Preventive)
3

3. The Cooperative
Discipline Approach
Goal
To develop safe and caring classrooms and
create solutions to classroom disruptions and
school violence
Learning Objective
To identify and teach strategies teachers
can use to influence students to choose
responsible behavior
Theory: The Need to Belong
The 4 Goals
of Misbehavior
The Hands-Joined (Lead)
Management Style
Cooperative Discipline
Encouragement Strategies
Cooperative Discipline
Intervention Strategies
Cooperative Discipline
Collaboration Strategies
Practice:
Capable
Connect
Contribute
Attention
Power
Revenge
Avoidance-of-Failure
Action Plan Process
Code of Conduct
Conflict Resolution Process

4. Research-Based
School Success Factors
Create a positive classroom
environment1
Foster high-quality teacher-
student relationships2
Improve learner self-concept3
Build student self-esteem
through encouragement4
Improve student decision-
making skills5
Develop student efficacy,
responsibility, and self-control6
Foster positive teacher
attitudes, perceptions, and
expectations
7
Promote positive parental
involvement8
Encourage a democratic
(hands-joined) style of
administration, teaching,
and parenting
9

5. Students Choose Their
Behavior

6. The Four Goals of Misbehavior
• Attention • Power
• Avoidance-of-Failure• Revenge

7. Identifying the Goal
How do I feel?
What do I usually do?
As a result, what
does the student do?

8. Focus on the behavior, not the student.1
Take charge of negative emotions.2
Avoid escalating the situation.3
Discuss misbehavior later.4
Allow students to save face.5
Guidelines for Intervention

9. Positive teacher behavioral
expectations1
Hands-joined style of
classroom management2
Individualized responses to
misbehavior3
Encouragement for all4
Clear behavior standards5
Collaborative conflict
resolution6
Involvement of students in
discipline process7
Involvement of parents as
partners8
Influencing Student Choices

10. Life’s Basic Need
Students need
like plants need water…
Without it students will shrivel up and drop out…
First with their spirit and then with their feet…

11. Framework for Cooperation
Administrator Teacher
Specialist
Student
Parent

12. Cooperative Discipline’s
Democratic Premise
Every Student
has the potential
for choosing appropriate behavior
and for becoming a more responsible
citizen of the school community
regardless of background, past performance,
or current level of functioning.

13. Winning Cooperation
“People whose lives are affected
by a decision need to be a part
of the decision-making process…”
“…if you want them
to cooperate.”
John Naisbitt
Megatrends
Linda Albert
Cooperative
Discipline

14. Limits without freedom
Power
Teacher in charge
No choices
Commanding and demanding
Demands obedience
Little respect for students
TEACHER-student: Climate
tense and fearful
Result: Defiance and hostility
HANDS-CLENCHED
Freedom without limits
Powerlessness
No one in charge
Too many choices
Wishing and hoping
Invites irresponsibility
Little respect for teachers
Teacher-STUDENT: Climate
unstable and chaotic
Result: Confusion and chaos
HANDS-OFF
Freedom within limits
Influence
All in charge of own behavior
Structured choices
Inviting and encouraging
Fosters responsibility
Mutual respect
TEACHER-STUDENT:
Climate orderly and relaxed
Result: Cooperation and
collaboration
HANDS-JOINED
Classroom Management Styles

15. Implementing Time-Out/Chill Out
Decide on placement
Use language of choice:
Desired behavior
+
Placement
+
“you decide”
Call the who squad
if needed
Require a reentry plan

16. Guidelines for Effective
Consequences
Follow the 4-R Rule:
Choose the Category: i.e Attention, Power, Revenge
or Avoidance of Failure
Identify the Specific Consequence
Plan the Implementation
Related
Respectful
Reasonable
Reliably Enforced
Who?
Where?
How Long?
When?
How?

17. A+ Relationships
Acceptance Attention Appreciation Affirmation Affection
(What teacher
is saying)
You’re Okay.
(What student
is hearing)
I’m Okay. I am important.
Thank you for…
My efforts are
noticed.
I am worthwhile.
I like you.
Somebody cares
about me.
I see you.
I know something
wonderful about you.

18. The Blame Game
The “blame game” has no winners.

19. Cooperative Discipline
For More Information
Go to
www.theRTC.net or call 800-433-
4740