Even when reprimanding students, stressing they always have a choice is essential: they can choose to do their homework, for example, four days a week and be rewarded by no homework for the weekend, or if they do not turn in their homework on time they do not get a reward of a free weekend, and a reduction in their grade because the paper is late. Creating an environment where it is 'easier' to be responsible is also helpful. For example, writing down all assignments that are due on a dry erase board, so students are constantly confronted with the deadlines for various projects makes it harder for them to forget. Having differently colored folders for certain subjects, mandating that students keep their work areas clean, and listing daily rules on posters such as 'pick up after yourself'...

Students crave structure and predictability (even though they may say they do not). Knowing what is expected of them makes students more willing to obey the rules. Teachers must be clear about what they expect of students, and that clarity is reinforced by routine. Teachers must also be fair when enforcing discipline. As every parent as well as every teacher knows, one of students' most common complaints is that something is 'unfair.' Showing favoritism in any way breeds resentment, and consistently enforcing clear expectations is one way to guard against the appearance of unfairness.