Practical school discipline

by Ray Coppock Beery

A principal of a well-known high school had accustomed himself to be very friendly and amiable outside of the school, but when he was in the school-room his manner was antagonistic. He seemed unfriendly and not at all courteous to his pupils. This contrast of mannerism or temperament had become so marked that many of the pupils wondered why he did not conduct himself in the school-room as he did on the street. Most of his pupils disliked him but admitted that they could admire him, were he to conduct himself as amiably in the school-room as he did outside. This principal failed to practice a consistency in his life which is so necessary to make and hold friends.

The Principle of Substitution

The law is, “Resist not evil,” for in resisting it it is only aggravated, “but overcome evil with good.” When in darkness, fight it not, but strike a light. When dealing with vice, excite it not, but awaken a positive virtue. If a child has a fault, ignore the fact as much as possible, and develop his better nature. Encourage a virtue and a vice may disappear.

This law is universal in its application. The teaching profession has yet to learn its significance. It can be termed the Principle of Substitution. It means that when one thing is taken out of a life, something else must be put in to fill up the void. When parents and teachers come fully to appreciate this principle and magnify virtue, honor and character in the child—ignoring his evil tendencies—then, and only then, will it be possible to develop every child into noble manhood or womanhood.

Positive virtues make vice impossible. Aggressive goodness leaves no room for evil. Pronounced righteousness once developed in a child, the problem of his government is settled. It is prudent to ignore his tendency not to study when inculcating the habit of study in the pupil. The habits of idleness, inattentiveness, irregularity and others detrimental to a pupil’s welfare can only be eliminated from his life by inciting opposite habits. Great as may the principles of suggestion, approval and co-operation, no greater principle can be discussed than that of substitution. It is a principle widely useful in many diverse activities. Just as it is practical in other fields, so it is feasible and useful in school-room discipline.

The street gamins of New York and other large cities are addicted to many bad habits. They lie, steal, swear, gamble and practice many other vices. They learn these vices by observing them in others and since there are no other activities to engage their attention, they live from day to day in habitual vice until they become criminals. The settlement workers and such institutions as the George Junior Republic, work upon the principle of substitution when they take these boys into their reformatory institutions. In them, the boy is not asked to quit his vices; on the contrary, nothing is said or even suggested about his former evil habits. Instead, his day of twenty-four hours is filled with other employment, so that he has no time left to indulge himself in any of his former evil habits. This practice is kept up until the boy has acquired as habits the activities of the settlement. When he has reached this stage, he can enter the world. It is true that some of the most worthy men of this day are products of boy settlements.

A typical day at a boy’s settlement will include a morning bath and toilet which will send the boy freshened and cleanly to his breakfast which is preceded by a short prayer and Bible reading or some other form of devotional exercise. After breakfast the boys take up their school work, or occupation and continue until noon, when they get their noon-day meal and an hour or two of rest. Care is taken that the rest is rather a change of occupation than idleness. The boys play games or read. In the afternoon some school work and occupational duties are done. Part of the afternoon is spent in some recreation which the boys enjoy. Similarly their time is occupied until supper. Following supper, games, reading and any other forms of recreation that will interest the boys are provided. At a reasonable hour the boys retire. After such an active day, they are usually tired and sleep well until morning when the same routine is followed for another day. When it is feared the boys may tire of their work, enough of a change is made to keep them satisfied. The work is all conducted in such a way that interest is paramount. From the above it can readily be seen that boys in such circumstances have little time for evil deeds.

There is no question but that the same principle can be used in the school-room to great advantage. The following are truthful maxims: “Idleness breeds vice” and “The devil finds some mischief for idle hands to do.” The school-room in which everybody is busy is a quiet school-room. There will not be the proverbial “pin-drop” quietness, but the little noise that can be heard will be a noise of busy pupils. Very often, teachers in planning their daily programs, fail to have the work so arranged as to utilize every minute; then in the interval when the pupils have a lull from their work, they find time to perpetrate mischief.

Another prolific source of mischief is the recess period. The greater majority of teachers believe the pupils will take care of themselves during the recess periods and the noon intermission. It is true that some of the pupils do use the time profitably, but too often, it is a lounging period and the real aim of the intermissions is not carried out, but rather that which is least desirable results. It will be a great step in the direction of advancement when there will be no longer a free-for-all recess or noon intermission, but instead supervised play periods in which every pupil must take part. It is just as reasonable to compel a pupil to take regular recreation as it is to demand that he learn his arithmetic or history lesson. It is more important. He must have a strong healthy body and it can only be made and kept so by regular recreation. The arrangement for getting pupils to the play ground and from it to the school building again, should be carefully planned. Opportunities for mischief should be eliminated. As soon as pupils are seated, work and study should begin. Habits of ease and quietness are easily cultivated in pupils. Whatever of useful employment and recreation takes up the time of the pupils, leaves no time for idleness and mischief.

It is worth mentioning that many children are opposed to supervised play. There are parents too who oppose it. There are several reasons for this opposition. First, the opposition is due to the lack of knowledge of child life on the part of the teacher or those who supervise the play of children. Children very naturally follow a leader and if the teacher is a lover of children and their sports, he will be their leader. It is not uncommon on the play grounds to see the boys and girls flock to an adult who is a real lover of sports. This shows that they really like older folks in their games. So whenever such an objection arises it is very necessary that the teacher or supervisor examine himself for the cause of the opposition and then speedily remedy the defect. Another reason is this, however much we regret it—nevertheless, it is true—there are many children especially in grammar grades and high school who like to use slang or suggestive language and often indulge in practices that are little less than immodest. Such children could not be friendly to a supervisor. But it is essential that such children should have a supervisor for their own good. Boys and girls who conduct themselves in this fashion will not unaided make virtuous men and women. It is hard to conceive of parents who would object to supervised play, but in face of the fact that many parents are strong agents in the weakening of their children’s characters, it becomes the more necessary for the teacher to be fearless and supervise the play. A good teacher must many times do that which parents will not approve, but it is his duty to act always according to his best judgment.