Solving Classroom Discipline Problems

Enjoy a more peaceful, orderly classroom that is free of common discipline problems. This course provides a step-by-step approach to effective, positive classroom discipline, and it’s continually rated by teachers as one of the most valuable they’ve ever taken.

Details
Syllabus
Requirements
Instructor
Reviews

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$129.00 USD

Select a start date for the course below:

Instructor-Moderated

6 Weeks Access

Study online with Instructor moderated discussion boards.

April 15, 2026

May 13, 2026

June 17, 2026

July 15, 2026

Select a Start Date

$129.00 USD

Instructor-Moderated

Select a Start Date

Details

Why do some teachers enjoy peaceful, orderly classrooms while others face daily discipline battles? The answer is that some teachers know the secrets to solving discipline problems. This course reveals those secrets and presents a step-by-step approach to effective, positive classroom discipline.

Note: To receive 25 hours of instruction in the State of Oregon, please ensure your school is eligible to issue professional development units, and that the course is approved by your professional learning coordinator.

Syllabus

Lesson 1 - I've Got a Secret!

I've Got A Secret! In our first lesson, you'll learn a very important secret about children and discipline. Once you know the secret, you'll be empowered to solve all classroom discipline problems, whether minor or severe. Armed with your new knowledge, you'll be on your way to a more peaceful, respectful, and productive classroom.

Lesson 2 - Children Need to Behave

Children Need to Behave - This lesson explores what motivates student behavior. We come into the world with a set of needs, and for the rest of our lives, we struggle to learn how to best meet those needs. In this lesson, you'll examine students’ needs and learn how to teach to them to meet those needs responsibly.

Lesson 3 - Now You're Going to Get It

Now You're Going to Get It - You probably already know what approaches don't work with students, but this lesson will explain why they don't work. You'll learn about the brain’s three control centers and how they affect your students’ behavior. You'll also learn how to avoid ineffective responses that can only make problems worse.

Lesson 4 - And the Winner Is . . .

And the Winner Is... - When discipline is practiced correctly, there are no losers, only winners. Teachers win because they are able to have their needs met without imposing authority or control. Students get their needs met because they get a say in the process through the use of choices. This is the win-win approach to discipline.

Lesson 5 - You've Got to Have a Plan

You've Got to Have a Plan - You have to have a plan. If you just react as situations present themselves, you are going to continually have problems. In this lesson, I'll help you create a game plan for effective classroom discipline. With this plan, you and your students can agree on which behaviors are acceptable and which are not in your classroom.

Lesson 6 - What to Do When

What to Do When - Now that you have a plan, what do you do when students choose to misbehave? What do you do when they behave responsibly? In this lesson, we'll talk about actions you can take when students choose to ignore boundaries. In addition, you'll learn about the reinforcing actions you should take when students choose to act responsibly.

Lesson 7 - Problems and Maturity

Problems and Maturity - Now that you're halfway through the course, it's time to put your new knowledge into action. In the remaining lessons, you learn how to apply what you've learned to discipline problems that commonly occur in any classroom. You'll learn how to deal with these specific problem behaviors: the attention-demander, the apple-polisher, and the whiner.

Lesson 8 - Problems with Others

Problems With Others - This lesson focuses on solving problems that involve how students relate to and interact with each other. You'll learn steps that you can take that will both stop the inappropriate behavior and teach appropriate, responsible behavior. You'll learn how to effectively deal with these types of students: the arguer or excuse maker, the bully, and the fighter.

Lesson 9 - Problems and Defiance

Problems and Defiance - In this lesson, you'll learn active listening and other techniques that you can use to defuse emotional situations. You'll learn how to effectively deal with students who continually behave in ways that push your emotional buttons and try your patience. You'll learn what to do when confronted with the defier, the disrespectful, and the disrupter.

Lesson 10 - Problems and Schoolwork

Problems and Schoolwork - Behavior problems often result in poor academic performance, either directly or indirectly. This lesson gives you a practical approach to helping students who have chosen to not work to their full potential. You'll learn how to help problem students such as the do-nothing, the cheater, and the homework hater.

Lesson 11 - Problems and Independence

Problems and Independence - In this lesson, you'll examine discipline problems that arise out of students’ need for freedom and independence. These problems occur more frequently in the preteen and teenage years, but independence can be an issue at any age. If you are a parent as well as a teacher, you'll be interested in this lesson that shows you how to successfully deal with the procrastinator and the rebel.

Lesson 12 - Let's Try Again Tomorrow

Let's Try Again Tomorrow - What do you do if you try these new approaches but they don't work? That's the subject of this last lesson. We'll look at some additional strategies you can use to solve severe or recurring problems. The course ends on a positive note with a reminder of all of the good reasons why we chose to become teachers in the first place.

Requirements

Instructor

James E. Thompson, Ph.D., is a pioneer in the field of distance learning courses for educators. He has created 30 video-based courses that have been offered by more than 100 colleges and universities. More than 250,000 educators have taken these courses for credit. Dr. Thompson is author of Teaching Children Responsible Behavior and currently teaches "Solving Classroom Discipline Problems, Parts One and Two" and "Teaching Adult Learners."

Instructor Interaction: The instructor looks forward to interacting with learners in the online moderated discussion area to share their expertise and answer any questions you may have on the course content.

Reviews

Even as a veteran teacher, I felt that I benefited from the content of this class.

I found the course material very helpful and timely. It reinforced many of my practices and challenged me to change others or to refine my approach to certain situations.

I have attended many workshops and seminars on behavior management, but I consider your course to be one of the "BEST!". Your lessons were well organized and full of ideas that I took straight to my classroom. Thank you!!

I loved this class. I think everyone needs to take this class, especially parents. I think they need to make this class mandatory to new parents and teachers. I have learned so much from this class and will need to refer to my notes often until I can use this information as easy as I can write my name. Thanks for offering this class and with this instructor.

I think this was one of the best courses I have ever taken. I am going to suggest to our principal that this course be recommended for all of the staff in our school. The 5-step method is an excellent approach to discipline. Thank you Dr. Thompson!

This course really made me think about things I could change in my classroom management. I really enjoyed the teacher-student situations.

This was a wonderful course. I learned a lot from it, and I also implemented some of the models and strategies in my classroom. They really work!

What a wonderful instructor. I am a single mother with four children and I found this class to be very helpful to me, not only in my classroom, but in my own home as well.

Wonderful course, it sure turned this old Air Force Staff Sergeant around. I can't believe the knowledge and wisdom I received from this course. It has made a positive change in my classroom. Now, I feel like my second career choice to be a teacher was the right one. With more practice, I know it can only get better.

I just truly want to say thank you. This course has been life changing for me as a teacher, a wife, and a parent. Thank you.