I think that time-outs can be effective, but maybe not a time-out behind a wall. And as Linda said, the teacher publicly shamed the child. Sending a child to time-out shouldn't be fun or funny to the child, but it doesn't have to be shameful or embarassing, either. I can see why the teacher would be annoyed at the child's laughing/mocking, but I would recommend addressing the problem behavior that came before the laughing, rather than the laughing itself as a problem behavior.

TAB, (Take A Break) could be a really incredible tool, but the example referred to by Linda is not sitting well with me or with my experience in the classroom. We would never ask a dyslexic student to go sit in the corner and write up a plan to become a better reader, so why do we think isolation is enough to help a student understand the specific behavior that was the problem, any underlying cause of inappropriate behavior and alternative actions and strategies. Additionally this example showed required the teacher to turn their attention away from the class and take far too much time focusing on that one student. There has to be a better way.

TAB, (Take A Break) could be a really incredible tool, but the example referred to by Linda is not sitting well with me or with my experience in the classroom. We would never ask a dyslexic student to go sit in the corner and write up a plan to become a better reader, so why do we think isolation is enough to help a student understand the specific behavior that was the problem, any underlying cause of inappropriate behavior and alternative actions and strategies. Additionally this example showed required the teacher to turn their attention away from the class and take far too much time focusing on that one student. There has to be a better way.

I think that you can get new ideas by seeing what others are doing. They may work for you or they may not. I think that a whole school working together can be very powerful. Usually it is teachers working in their isolated classrooms.

Dear Brandy,
I appreciate you taking the time to view and comment on this video, but I must tell you that you are incorrect regarding the "staging" of this or any other Edutopia video. Journalistic ethics are of paramount importance to us. I shot this sequence. It happened in front of the camera, without direction or suggestion. Due to production constraints and editing choices, we do not provide extensive sequences of classroom observation. I can understand that, without having the opportunity to see the behavior that lead up to this moment, you might have had the impression that it was "staged." If you'd like to shoot me an email, I can provide more context off-line. Thanks

This may be succesful, however it does use certain elements that we have been trying to get away from, such as isolating students and punishing them. There is a twist and that is that you don't just isolate them but you make them reflect and/or work. This keeps them busy and allows them to realize what they did wrong. However there are kids who will be there all the time and are not getting the point, so does this method really work?

I liked a lot of the ideas in this video; the developmental discipline, ZAP, and the mediator groups. I have some developmental discipline in my own class but not to the depth that the entire school has. I have been in a school where they used ZAP and it wasn't a great experience. But in ZAP's defense I was a first semester teacher and it was the schools attempt to deal with so many students that were failing because of zero grade averages in core subjects.
I would like to address some of the other comments left. ZAP is great as a reinforcer to get them to do their work so they don't miss lunch with their friends (they still get to eat their food) and if they are taken out of a class that they already have a zero in that would have a negative impact on the student as well, so for some ZAP was very influential in those students getting them self back on task. As far as the teachers behaivor goes I do agree in not pointing anyone out for bad behavior I do think this was staged. I don't think that this video would be here if it was a real situation. I have been involved in these types of observations before and you don't just sit around waiting for someone to misbehave in hopes that you will catch it on screen, it was likely staged to get the point across of how it works.

After viewing this video, I agree with somethings. I did not like how the instructor pointed his finger at the student and said you should not be laughing. I feel this can be more humilating and cause more teasing among peers. I do like the idea about TAB, Take A Break which can cause a student to reflect on what they did if it is done properly. I think it should be done with a counselor. As far as ZAP Zeros Aren't Permitted, students shouldn't be taken out of lunch periods and isolated. They should be allowed to at least eat lunch with peers and maybe then taken for some counseling. I really loved the idea of mediation among peers. It will cause the student to strive to be a part of the team. They will have higher respect for themselves and others will look up to them.

At about 1:47, the instructor uses shame and sending a child to the corner to enforce discipline. I am not impressed. Do these children look like they feel safe and happy in their environment?