Texas A&M University – Commerce
Master’s of Education in Secondary Education – MED
SED 500 Issues in Education
Carlos Soliz


Discipline Journal #1
SHED Cohort – Fall 2008

I. Data Collection: On additional pages, document at least 10 discipline situations encountered in your classroom. Journal each incident and include:
1. A. September 3, 2008/ 12:05 pm
B. 9th grade/World Geography
C. During lunch a student did not have his shirt tucked in, I asked him to please tuck his shirt in and pull up his pants. He looked at me and started to roll his shirt under itself and lifted his pants, which immediately went back to the place they started. I asked him to step out of line and tuck his shirt in, not roll it he made a sound with his mouth like he was cleaning his teeth. I told him that he knew the rules and needed to be in dress code. He finally complied and I thanked him and told him he could get back in line. The student being in dress code could have prevented the incident.
D. The only consequences that day were that he was removed from the line and had to go to the back of the line to get his lunch. I was the only one involved and told the student that if he were caught out of dress code again that it would result in a detention. The consequences were appropriate since this was the first time that I had seen this student out of dress code and did not know him.
E. I did not know this student before this incident but I do now. Now when I see this student in the lunchroom the first thing he does is show me that he is in dress code and I now have a relationship with him.
2. A. September 4/ 8:37 am
B. 9th Grade/World Geography
C. A student came into class just after the tardy bell, I asked him to sign the tardy sheet since he was late. The student told me “come on man the bell just rang” in which I responded that yes the bell had rung and he came into the room after that. He told me that this was “whack” and continued to his seat. I let him sit down while I checked roll and got the class started. After a few minutes I walked over to him and explained that the 1st tardy was only a warning and that he just needed to initial and date next to his name for the tardy. I explained that if he did not do it I would do it for him and he was going to be in more trouble for being defiant. He signed the tardy book and we continued with the class. The student following procedures and signing the tardy book could have prevented the incident.
D. The student refused to sign the tardy book after he was late to class. The student and I were the only ones involved and at first the student was defiant but eventually did what I asked. The consequences were appropriate, which was a warning but the student knows that he needs to be on time to class or further action will be taken.
E. This was only the student’s third time in my class so I had not had a chance to build a relationship with him. The discipline situation did not have an impact on my relationship with the since he withdrew from my class the day after this incident.
3. A. September 5/ 10:16 am
B. 9th grade/World Geography
C. During second period as I was checking kids for dress code and checking roll I noticed a student that had extreme facial hair and told him that he needed to shave. The student told me that his first period teacher and no one else said anything to him. I told him that I was telling him that he needed to shave. He told me that he didn’t have to shave so I just wrote him a dress code referral and sent him to the office. The student coming to school shaven could have prevented the incident.
D. What occurred was a dress code violation by a student. Involved in the incident was the student, the assistant principal, and me. The student responded negatively to being told that he needed to shave. Consequences were appropriate as they are just school policy that has been explained to the students many times. The student received a detention and has since shaved and has been clean-shaven every time that he has returned to my class.
E. My relationship with this student was shaking for a while after the incident but has since become a lot better. I just explained to him that this was school and district policy and until that changed he would have to shave or have the consequences that come for not shaving. I talk with the student every time I see him in and out of class and I believe I have built a good relationship with this student.
4. A. September 9/ 11:05 am
B. 9th grade/World Geography
C. During second period I had a student who would not be quiet while I was having a discussion with the class, this student wanted to continue to talk to the student next to him. I asked the student to stay focused on our discussion and not have any side discussions that did not pertain to the topic we were discussing. The student’s lack of interest in the topic we were discussing and him not getting quiet after me asking him to lead to the incident.
D. The student’s inability to be quiet when he was supposed to be and refusal to get quiet after I asked him lead to his detention. The student did not respond to me asking him to get quiet but did get quiet the rest of the class period after he received his detention slip. The consequence was appropriate and it did make a difference, I did not have the student do anything during detention but took the opportunity to talk to him and get to know him better.
E. My relationship with this student had been good and I believe that is why I did not get any resistance from him when he did receive the detention. The discipline situation made my relationship with the student stronger and I have not had any more negative dealings with this student.
5. A. September 9/ 11:05 am
B. 9th grade/World Geography
C. During second period I had a student who would not be quiet while I was having a discussion with the class, this student wanted to continue to talk to the student next to him. I asked the student to stay focused on our discussion and not have any side discussions that did not pertain to the topic we were discussing. The student’s lack of interest in the topic we were discussing and him not getting quiet after me asking him to lead to the incident.
D. The student’s inability to be quiet when he was supposed to be and refusal to get quiet after I asked him lead to his detention. The student did not respond to me asking him to get quiet but did get quiet the rest of the class period after he received his detention slip. The consequence was appropriate and it did make a difference, I did not have the student do anything during detention but took the opportunity to talk to him and get to know him better.
E. My relationship with this student had been good and I believe that is why I did not get any resistance from him when he did receive the detention. The discipline situation made my relationship with the student stronger and I have not had any more negative dealings with this student.
6. A. September 10/ 11:25 am
B. 9th grade/World Geography
C. During second period I had a student who would not be quiet while I was having a discussion with the class, this student wanted to continue to talk out loud and give random answers that did not pertain to the subject. I asked the student to stay focused on our discussion and not just yell things out that did not pertain to the topic we were discussing. The student’s need for attention and him not stopping the blurting out of answers lead to the incident.
D. The student’s inability to participate in a class discussion and refusal to stop blurting out answers after I asked him lead to his detention. The student did not respond to me asking him to get quiet but did get quiet the rest of the class period after he received his detention slip. The consequence was appropriate and it did make a difference, I did not have the student do anything during detention but took the opportunity to talk to him and get to know him better.
E. My relationship with this student had been good and I believe that is why I did not get any resistance from him when he did receive the detention. The discipline situation made my relationship with the student stronger and I have not had any more negative dealings with this student.
7. A. September 16/ 8:50 am
B. 9th grade/World Geography
C. During first period a young lady repeatedly was out of her seat, the class was doing a cooperative learning project and instead of staying with her group she continued to get up and visit with other groups. I had chosen the groups and she was not with her friends so she felt it necessary to get up to go visit with them. If the student would have stayed on task and done the work with her group the incident would have been avoided.
D. The student received a detention by me and she was not happy. She told me that she was not going to go to detention and all she was doing was checking to see how everyone else was doing the project. I told her that was her choice but that she still had the detention. I believe the consequences were appropriate but am not sure if it will make a difference. This student did not show up for her detention and has not shown up the last two class periods. I have called home to check on her but have been unsuccessful in reaching anyone.
E. I had only spoken to this student a couple of times before the incident so I don’t believe I had a great relationship with this student. I believe this discipline situation had a negative impact on my relationship with this student. I hope that when she returns her and I will talk and things will be better.
8. A. September 19/ 8:00 am
B. 9th grade/World Geography
C. During morning duty a young man attempted to enter the building with his shirt untucked and his pants rolled at the bottom. Both of these types of dress are not allowed at West Mesquite High School and the students know that. The student was asked by our Assistant Principal to step to the side and tuck his shirt in and unroll his pants before going any further. The student tried to just keep walking as he went to the side and rolled his shirt under; I stopped the student and told him to go back to the doors and tuck his shirt so we can see his belt and to unroll his pants. He told me he couldn’t unroll them because they were too long, which is a different violation. The student argued some more and finally the Assistant Principal just took him to the office. The incident could have been avoided if the student would have been in compliance with the dress code before trying to enter the building.
D. The student received ISS for that day and the following day. He was upset and defiant saying how dumb it was that he had to have his shirt tucked in and that those were the only pants he could buy. Had the student just done what was asked of him there would have never been a problem instead the student tried to defy our school policies and it got him into trouble.
E. I did not have a relationship with this student because I did not know the student and have not seen this student since the incident.
9. A. September 19/ 8:36 am
B. 9th grade/World Geography
C. A student came into class just after the tardy bell, I asked him to sign the tardy sheet since he was late. The student told that he didn’t mean to be late and asked me to give him a break, I explained to him that if I gave him a break I would have to give everyone a break at least once and that I was not willing to do that. He told me that he thought I was “cool.” I did not answer his comment and just asked him to have a seat. It was this student’s second tardy so he was to have detention with me which he will serve tomorrow. He signed the tardy book and we continued with the class. He later came and apologized for being late and told me he would be at his detention. I asked him why he was late thinking that maybe if he had car trouble or something like that I might give him a break but he told me he walked his girlfriend to class and that is why he was late.
D. The student received a thirty minute morning detention with me. He has been on time and very respectful to me every time that I see him. The consequences were appropriate and have made a difference.
E. I have had a good relationship with this student and the relationship we have continues to be good. The relationship helped in the situation and has not had any impact on the relationship.
10.A. September 23/ 10:20 am
B. 9th grade/World Geography
C. During second period while I was checking kids for dress code and checking roll I noticed a student that needed to shave. I went to get a dress code referral to fill out for him and he started to mouth how it was stupid that they had to shave. He told me that he wasn’t going to shave so I filled out the dress code referral and sent him to the office. The student coming to school shaven could have prevented the incident.
D. What occurred was a dress code violation by a student. Involved in the incident was the student, the assistant principal, and me. The student responded negatively to being told that he needed to shave. Consequences were appropriate as they are just school policy that has been explained to the students many times. The student received ISS and has since shaved and has been clean-shaven every time that he has returned to my class.
E. My relationship with this student was shaking for a while after the incident but has since become better. I explained to him that this was school and district policy and until that changed he would have to shave or have the consequences that come for not shaving. I talk with the student every time I see him in and out of class and I believe I have built a good relationship with this student.

II.
During second period I had a student who would not be quiet while I was having a discussion with the class, this student wanted to continue to talk to the student next to him. I asked the student to stay focused on our discussion and not have any side discussions that did not pertain to the topic we were discussing. The student’s lack of interest in the topic we were discussing and him not getting quiet after me asking him to lead to the incident.
The student’s inability to be quiet when he was supposed to be and refusal to get quiet after I asked him lead to his detention. The student did not respond to me asking him to get quiet but did get quiet the rest of the class period after he received his detention slip. The consequence was appropriate and it did make a difference, I did not have the student do anything during detention but took the opportunity to talk to him and get to know him better.
My relationship with this student had been good and I believe that is why I did not get any resistance from him when he did receive the detention. The discipline situation made my relationship with the student stronger and I have not had any more negative dealings with this student.

III.

During first period a young lady repeatedly was out of her seat, the class was doing a cooperative learning project and instead of staying with her group she continued to get up and visit with other groups. I had chosen the groups and she was not with her friends so she felt it necessary to get up to go visit with them. If the student would have stayed on task and done the work with her group the incident would have been avoided.
The student received a detention by me and she was not happy. She told me that she was not going to go to detention and all she was doing was checking to see how everyone else was doing the project. I told her that was her choice but that she still had the detention. I believe the consequences were appropriate but am not sure if it will make a difference. This student did not show up for her detention and has not shown up the last two class periods. I have called home to check on her but have been unsuccessful in reaching anyone.
If I could do it over again, I would have spoken to this student privately first to see if there was any outside drama that was taking place in her life before just handing her a detention. I believe this discipline situation had a negative impact on my relationship with this student. I am hoping that once she returns I will have the opportunity to talk to her and things will get better.