Improving Classroom Discipline:
A Review of Rick Dahlgren's "Teach-To's"

In recent years, teachers are under increasing pressure toaccount for student progress due to high stakes testing. Endof course tests are given but many times the tests are administered well before the school year ends. Teachers try to cover the required curriculum before "the test" but find it difficult because of limited time. Discipline problems interfere with instructional time and cause teachers to become frustrated. Teachers may need management strategies that increase instructional time by minimizing interruptions in their classrooms. A set of behavioral lesson plans teachers can use to improve classroom discipline has been developed by author Rick Dahlgren called "Teach-To's."

The most common rules and routines used by successful teachers at both the elementary and secondary level has been a topic of research for quite some time. Master teachers from around the United States were approached by the authors of "Teach-To's" and asked to develop and field test lesson plans for common rules and routines needed for success in schools and classrooms.

Teachers searching for a resource to help them manage all types of classroom management issues should consider using Rick Dahlghren's "Teach-To's" book. This collection of behavioral lesson plans is designed for used at both elementary and secondary levels. Teachers need to be thorough when guiding students in common rules and routines, and these lesson plans can be very helpful in this regard. Clear and consistent routines and procedures to follow benefit students anywhere on campus, and the behavior lesson plans in "Teach-To's" can be used school-wide.

Teaching to expectations is not about trying to form unthinking automatons or youngsters devoid of divergent thought. Quite the opposite. "Teach-To's" sets the stage for structure in the classroom and encourages divergent and creative discovery and learning. "Teach-To's" supports establishing rules and routines and consistently reinforcing and reviewing those expectations early on to yield less misbehavior and give teachers more instructional time.

Teachers should consider using the behavioral lesson plans in "Teach-To's" for highly organized and effective strategies for improving classroom management. Teachers can use the 100 behavioral lesson plans Dahlgren offers in the 128 pages of "Teach-To's," along with rubrics and templates for development of their own "teach-to" lesson plans for unique situations. Every teacher could benefit by having "Teach-To's" on his or her bookshelf.

Click here to find out more about author Rick Dahlgren's "Teach-To's" book. Don't forget to sign up for Ken Croft's FREE classroom management newsletter.