Comments on: Three Magic Words to Keep Students on Task

By: Maxine Bonneau

Maxine Bonneau — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 01:29:21 +0000

I have become a manipulation proof teacher in my classrooms. Because I don’t have the bottom line of 15 minutes detention, I issue 5 – 15 minutes takken away from recess. This sserves to make the student(s) have to stand on the sidelines in front of their peers, as well as losing their very important sports games or social talking time. Because of your book, I no longer argue with students. Itry my best to be aware of their movements and behavior at all times. I am also trying to remain impartial with my comments of get on task, or return to the work to which you were assigned. I have a check list for infractions and repeated reminders of rule infractions are met with a slip for lost recess time. In a public school system, this may not be a big deal, but in our closed enviroment, it has become important for social image and status. It is difficult to remain vigilant and fair. But, once they sense I have wigggle room in the rules, they will break the rules to show me up. Without the support of the after school detention and not being allowed to bar them from the class until they serve, has dented the impact a bit. But, I am establishing the perimeters and holding the fort, so to speak. These comments and blogs help reinforce the basics for me. Thanks for the book.

By: Janis Neiheisel

Janis Neiheisel — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 23:28:41 +0000

I do love your three magic words, though. Then the high school students I teach would not come back to me every time I tell them that. Most students will likely get the message.

By: bebok-2

bebok-2 — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 10:16:39 +0000

I teach in a primary school, children aged 7-9 years old. The school is situated in a very ‘difficult’ area, parents are not well educated, they do not pay much attention to appropriate children upbringing and they do not seem to know anything about disciplining them. I loved your list of consequences, however I can’t imagine putting them into practice in my school. First of all, a 15-minute detention may be problematic because when I finish my lessons, the students either still have their lessons going, or have already left the school. In Poland, each class, as well as each teacher, has got different schedule. That makes it difficult to carry the punishment out immediately, on that same day when misbehaviour takes place. Second of all, it is forbidden to ask a pupil to leave the classroom since we (teachers) are responsible for them, and if anything happens on a hall we are to be blamed, moreover those are quite small children. There’re no cameras to control the halls by administration staff. As I already mentioned, my students are small children, but they are not too little to behave like criminals and use shocking language. I did not experience any personal abuse, but I find them difficult to control in terms of shouting, running and not paying attention. Could you offer me any tips to handle such difficult children, any ideas how to punish them? I would be really grateful. I love my profession and I can’t imagine me performing any other job, but after each day spent at work I fell exhausted! I am a teacher not a psychologist and I would like to teach, not to endlessly struggle with disruptive behaviour. My school year starts on 1st of September and I was hoping to enter the classrooms with fresh and effective ideas of how to maintain the discipline there. Again, I would be very thankful for any help.

By: Craig Seganti

Craig Seganti — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 15:53:58 +0000

When it comes to work outside the class I figure bad grades are enough consequence. However, calling parents is a good idea on the homework, and you might experiment with the detentions if it works. “Let what works be the test of what to use” –Bruce Lee

By: ssoto

ssoto — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 22:51:34 +0000

Hi Craig,

I thouroghly enjoyed your book (I listen to the audio version over and over). I just need a teaching position to execute your rules:) Question – what is your homework policy? If a student does not complete it/hand it in the next day, dDoes that fall under your rule of “not on task” with the 15 minute detention consequence?

By: kayp4au

kayp4au — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 14:47:38 +0000

I have just read your book and think these are great ideas, BUT I teach in a rural school in which all students are bussed. Rather than the detention that is mentioned, what is another consequence that you would suggest?

By: Patt

Patt — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 12:06:31 +0000

What happens if some kids are so sneaky that you don’t catch them? Will you be considered inconsistent because someone “got away” with something when others did not? Or do you just consider the sneaky one, not disrupting the class? The only way you know they were doing anything is because someone getting caught off task will “rat the others out”. Is this where you really put the “Three Magic Words” to the test and not enter into that conversation?

By: knix1973

knix1973 — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 00:59:49 +0000

I can only hope and pray that your book will help me. This is only my 3rd year teaching and I want to quit. My class is SO disruptive and I am frustrated all the time. I hope you ideas help!!!!!!

By: hediko

hediko — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 02:38:33 +0000

I can’t wait to introduced my class to these three little words tomorrow. I know I’ve used the same exact three words many times before, but never with the same mind set; not settling for anything, but that.

By: alford215

alford215 — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 18:35:40 +0000

I would just like to say how awesome this program is for me. I have been teaching for 14 years and attended a couple of classroom discipline workshops. But Craig, you are the man! I haven’t even finished reading your book as yet. I am only into the first couple of chapters, but having already implemented a couple of the strategies you’ve outlined (including the three little words), I can tell you it makes a tremendous difference even with my “toughest” class. Thank you thank you thank you. I can’t wait to get through the remainder of the book because thanks to you my classroom gets quieter and more productive every day! Cheers!