This document discusses classroom discipline and the teacher's role in promoting student understanding of the democratic process and respect for structure in social groups. Definitions of discipline include punishment, school regulations, and classroom rules enforced by the teacher as a reasonable authority. In explaining the need for rules and limits in the classroom, the author points out that laws preserve some measure of freedom for everyone while, at the same time, limiting certain behaviors. In guiding the structuring of rules and social controls in the classroom, the teacher must be responsive to students' developmental capabilities. This is especially important in elementary grades when children begin to perceive themselves as significant members of a group. Teachers must apply authority effectively in establishing discipline and should manage conflict resolution in ways that become learning experiences in order to strengthen collective social responsibility. Nine steps are presented to help teachers establish order and build student self-discipline. (Author/AV)