Acknowledging the positive things the students in your classroom are doing is a very effective way to reinforce positive behaviors. When one student is applauded for something he is doing correctly, many students around him will follow with similar behavior; this is known as the ripple effect. The ripple effect is more noticeable in earlier ages, and gets less noticeable in middle school and high school; however, the more well-liked and prestigious a teacher is, the more obvious the ripple effect will be even among this age group.
Rewarding the students in your classroom for the things they are doing correctly is one effective way to encourage positive behaviors. A group reward involving every student in the classroom serves as a motivator. This is most effective when not given out every day; having, for example, a chart that points may be added to in order to receive the prize would be the most productive. Make sure the final prize involves everyone in the classroom; a trip to the zoo, for example, or a pizza party.
Making your classroom one big team is a powerful way to encourage proper behavior and discourage behavior that is out of place. This is because students thrive off of each other's approval; when several students in the class want to obey the teacher by playing the group game, most other students will willingly follow. Having a daily group game is one way to encourage unity and support among the students.
Splitting the classroom up into smaller groups and having these groups get together and talk for a half hour every day is one way to use group guidance in classroom discipline. Having small groups of students who don't know each other get together and talk about specific issues will bring them closer and encourage group dynamics and obedience in the classroom. The students will desire to obey for the unity and cohesion of the group.